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Shoaib Akhtar riles India again

Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has ruffled feathers in India again in a new headline-grabbing autobiography that also contains candid admissions about ball-tampering and corruption.

The book, from the man who was once the fastest bowler in the world, takes a swipe at Indian heroes Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid, as well as unnamed figures who have "ruined" the game in Pakistan.

His comments about the star duo in "Controversially Yours", excerpts of which have been released to the media, have especially made waves in India, Pakistan's neighbour and great rival.

Akhtar, 36, claimed that Tendulkar and Dravid, two of the world's top Test batsmen, played for their own records and rarely won matches for India. "I can't recall a series from Tendulkar's earlier playing days when he helped win matches. He might have had more runs

and records but he lacked the ability to finish a game," he wrote. Akhtar, who played 46 Tests and 163 one-day internationals between 1997 and 2011, recalled that on India's tour of Pakistan in 2006 Tendulkar was "distinctly uncomfortable" facing him.

"We managed to psychologically browbeat him," the fast bowler wrote. "We bounced the ball at him and were able to unnerve him."

The book was released in New Delhi last week, but its launch in Tendulkar's home city of Mumbai on Sunday was cancelled by organisers without any explanation. The bowler, whose career was marked by allegations of drug abuse and ball-tampering, wrote that he did not feel guilty about "working" on the ball.

"The game has become very unequal and only favours the batsman," he wrote. "If you bowl a no-ball, the batsman gets a free-hit; bouncers have been curtailed.

Platini gives thumbs up to Ukraine on Euro-2012

UEFA president Michel Platini has given the thumbs-up to Ukraine's preparations for the Euro 2012 tournament it is co-hosting with Poland, saying worries that the ex-Soviet republic would not be ready were now a thing of the past.

Earlier this year Ukraine had risked losing its right to stage the event as a financial crisis threatened the building of stadiums, roads and hotels and preparations were behind schedule.

But it got a glowing report from Platini. "Many European countries thought it was a bit early for Ukraine to host the tournament. But now all cities have done a great job and are almost ready," Platini told a news briefing.

This digitally created composite image has been made from a sequence of frames: Current England long jump champion and London 2012 hopeful J.J. Jegede attempts an exhibition jump over three Limited edition 2012 MINIs in London. This world first is taking place to celebrate the launch of the MINI London 2012 Edition models, of which only 2,012 will be produced.

Pietersen recalled for India tour

Kevin Pietersen was recalled to England's limited-overs squad for the trip to India next month. England have five one-day matches against the world champions followed by a Twenty20 match, with the tour starting with the first of two warm-up fixtures on October 8.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed that Pietersen has been included in the 15-man squad, which includes uncapped Surrey pace bowler Stuart Meaker, but bowler James Anderson has been rested. Meaker, 22, was called up last week to try out with the squad in the nets and has done enough to impress the selectors. "This squad contains an exciting balance of experienced international cricketers along with some very talented younger players who can play the high quality limited overs cricket needed to challenge India," said national selector Geoff Miller.

"A number of injuries and a decision to

omit James Anderson in line with our policy of sensibly managing player workloads give opportunities for other very talented players to continue to develop as international cricketers.

"We had a promising One-Day series win over India earlier this month and this squad will be looking forward to the challenge of continuing that success in the sub-continent over the next four weeks. "The additions to the squad for the Twenty20 fixture will strengthen the squad and provide Jos Buttler and Alex Hales with valuable experience of playing in the sub-continent. "Stuart Broad is currently undergoing a period of rehabilitation for a shoulder injury. However he will join the squad in India if he completes his rehabilitation programme ahead of schedule.

Graeme Swann will once again lead the Twenty20 side if Stuart is unable to join the squad."

18

Boxing body refutes London 2012 fix allegation

Amateur boxing's world governing body has dismissed as "preposterous and utterly untrue" allegations that Azerbaijan was promised two gold medals at next year's London Olympics in exchange for a loan of millions of dollars.

The International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA), under president Dr Ching-Kuo Wu of Taiwan, said in a statement they rejected the claims "in the strongest possible terms" but would set up an investigation committee.

The allegations, by an unnamed insider, were broadcast by the BBC on their Newsnight programme on Thursday and reported on the website www.bbc.co.uk.

"Any suggestion the loan was made in return for prom-

Spectators flee as a bull charges during a traditional Corraleja, or bullfight, in Since, Colombia.

FIFA bans Guyana FA president for 26 months Guyana FA president Colin Klass became the second high-ranking official, and the fourth in all, to be banned for their part in a bribery scandal when world soccer's ruling body FIFA suspended him on Friday for 26 months.

Klass, who was also fined $5,537, was provisionally suspended on Aug. 11 after the Ethics Committee ruled he had breached their Code of Ethics for his part in the scandal that also led to the lifetime ban for Qatari Mohamed Bin Hammam following a meeting of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) in May. The Guyanese, a member of the CFU's executive committee for 22 years, protested his innocence but in a statement issued on Friday FIFA ruled he had "breached various articles of the Code of Ethics following an investigation related to the special meeting of the CFU held in Trinidad & Tobago on May 10-11."

Shoaib was a problem and remains a problem: Wasim Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram on Saturday ridiculed former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar and his controversial autobiography, which has made several tall claims, saying that the pacer was a "problem" when he was an active player and remains just that even in retirement. Wasim pooh-poohed Shoaib's claims of making Sachin Tendulkar uncomfortable with his pace in the Faisalabad Test in 2006 and also rejected some of the other allegations he has made in the book titled ‘Controversially Yours.’

“I remember one of Sachin's knocks in the Sialkot Test. It was the fourth Test and the wicket had lot of grass, I was 22 and Waqar was 19 and we were very fast,” Wasim recalled.

“Waqar hit him on his chin and he came back after taking treatment and scored a 50. If a 16-year-old can't be scared, I don't think any batsman can be scared. It hardly matters what Shoaib says,” Wasim said.

Wasim said Shoaib, who was a controversial figure all through his playing career, was just trying to sell his book with tall claims and also rejected allegations that he tried to destroy the tearaway pacer's career. "Whatever the Pakistan Cricket Board says, I am with them.

He was a problem when he was in the team and he is a problem when he is out of the team,” Wasim said. "He knows, I know and the world knows that he was himself responsible for destroying his career.

There is a lot to talk but I don't want to humiliate him.

There is an unwritten code among players that some facts should not be revealed before the media," he warned.

All Blacks may boycott next World Cup Boycotts and breakdowns featured at the rugby World Cup as the All Blacks threatened to sit out the 2015 tournament and France were urged by their defence coach to compete more effectively at the ruck.

On the field, Georgia won their first match of the tournament, defeating Romania 25-9 in their Pool B match in Palmerson North.

New Zealand Rugby Union head Steve Tew set alarm bells ringing at the International Rugby Board (IRB) early in the day by saying the All Blacks could pull out of the 2015 event because competing in the current edition had led to a loss of more than NZ$13 million (6.54 million pounds).

The IRB were quick to issue a statement saying they were committed to negotiating with teams to address the financial issues.

ises of gold medals at the 2012 Olympics is preposterous and utterly untrue," said the AIBA statement.

The BBC said it had uncovered evidence of "secret payments" of millions of dollars from a mystery source in Azerbaijan to World Series Boxing (WSB), a competition run under the auspices of AIBA. AIBA's communications director Sébastien Gillot told Reuters in an email that the allegations aired on the BBC were "absolutely false and ridiculous."

The AIBA statement said: "In 2010 an agreement was signed between WSB SA, a Swiss incorporated company which runs the World Series of Boxing competition under the auspices of AIBA, and a Swiss company for a loan in

respect of the operation of WSB's American franchises.

"The Swiss company facilitated the making of the loan, which originated from an Azerbaijani private investor.

The loan was not "secret" and nor was there anything improper about it.

"It was an arm's length transaction between two entities made on a commercial basis and with a view to a commercial return for the investor.

"While that investor prefers not to be named ...

AIBA/WSB can confirm that they are a private investor and are not the Azerbaijani Government.

"AIBA/WSB believe that such allegations have been made by individuals with an axe to grind, who are totally discredited.

Unprecedented demand for 2012 Paralympics

Demand for tickets for next year's Paralympic Games has been unprecedented and many of the sessions will have to go to a ballot, London 2012 chief executive Paul Deighton said.

Ticket sales in Britain opened on Sept. 9 and closed on Monday. Speaking to Reuters at the opening of a Team GB and ParalympicsGB outlet at the new Westfield shopping centre at the Olympic Park in east London, Deighton said the public response had been exceptional.

"We are still sorting through the final numbers but we are delighted with the outcome. We have sold hundreds and hundreds of thousands, a very impressive return. In Paralympic terms, it's unprecedented," he said.

"There's a substantial number of sessions where we will have to go to ballot because they've been over-subscribed, which again I think is proba-

bly a first for the Paralympic Games." He said the oversubscribed sessions were more widely spread across the sports than might have been expected, and not just the popular ceremonies, cycling and wheelchair basketball.

Deighton said the ticket sales would not change the overall financial picture for organisers LOCOG, even though revenues from the Olympics and Paralympics are combined before working out any profits. "Our projections for Paralympic ticket sales were always pretty strong, so basically what we are going to do is hit our target," he said.

Deighton attributed the demand, for an event that starts once the Olympics are over, to Britons being great consumers of sport as well as a side-effect of all the Olympic events at the showcase venues being sold out.

Tevez denies refusing to play Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez denied he had refused to come on as a substitute in their Champions League match against Bayern Munich and said he is ready to play on for the club.

Manager Roberto Mancini told reporters that the Argentine had ignored his instruction to warm up early in the second half of Tuesday's 2-0 defeat in Germany and that Tevez was "finished" while he was manager.

Tevez, who has found controversy follow him from club to club, sought to placate City fans whom he has already angered over the past year with his open desire to leave the club.

"There was some confusion on the bench and I believe my position may have been misunderstood," he said in a statement, according to local media.

"I would like to apologise to all Manchester City fans, with whom I have always had a strong relationship, for any misunderstanding that occurred in Munich.

Aneta Havlickova of Czech Republic smashes as Anna Rybaczewski of France blocks during the women's Volleyball European Championship match between Czech Republic and France in Belgrade, Serbia.

19

India is great but...: Paris Hilton

‘Better late than never’ Polanski gets his award "Better late than never" was how director Roman Polanski summed up his feelings as he received an award from the Zurich film festival two years after being arrested on his way to pick up the prize.

Polanski was intercepted at Zurich airport

by Swiss police on September 26, 2009 and held in prison and later house arrest until Swiss authorities decided in 2010 not to extradite him to the United States due to technical faults in the U.S. request.

The Oscar-winning Polish-French film maker, who had holidayed in his chalet in luxury Swiss resort Gstaad for years before the arrest, is wanted in the United States for the alleged rape of a minor in 1977.

"What can I say?" said the visibly moved 78-yearold as he picked up his lifetime achievement award.

"Better late than never.

It's a strange anniversary for me, two years, day for day.

"Certain parts of it I'd rather forget, but I'm happy to be here. It is a very moving moment for me so do not expect any speeches."

A model displays a creation as part of Marni Spring/Summer 2012 women’s collection during Milan Fashion Week.

Socialite Paris Hilton flew out of Mumbai early Tuesday saying she had an “eye opening” trip to “beautiful” India but was appalled by its poverty, a TV channel reported.

“India is beautiful but some parts are very poverty stricken... broke my heart to see babies sleeping on the streets. What are the most credible non-profit (charities) in India? After seeing what I`ve seen, I want to help make a difference,” Paris tweeted before leaving the country.

The heiress, who was here on a three-day trip to launch her line of handbags for the Indian market, stunned a beggar here by tipping her $100.

The 31-year-old promptly received suggestions about a few charities in India from readers.

“Thank you all for your suggestions... It`s important to give to those who are less fortunate,” she added.

The blonde beauty is headed to Dubai. But she

hopes to come back to India, which she earlier said was a “magical and spiritual” land.

“What an amazing and

eye opening trip to India. I look forward to coming back soon. Love you all!” she tweeted.

Bollywood biggies give Hilton bash a miss International celebrity Paris Hilton`s three-day India visit is the talk of the town but Bollywood doesn`t seem to care – much, Zee News reports.

Most of the big names from the Hindi film industry stayed away from Paris` welcome party, hosted by socialite Queenie Dhody at the JW Marriot hotel Saturday night. Bollywood personalities like Sonakshi Sinha, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Abhay Deol, Arjun Rampal, Dino Moreaa and Imran Khan were invited for the bash, but the only known faces who showed up were Sushmita Sen, Kangana Ranaut and Bipasha Basu.

Others who attended the bash at the Enigma club were choreographer Sandeep Soparkar, actresses Shazahn Padamsee and Gul Panag, photographer Atul Kasbekar and Pooja Bedi. Sonakshi had tweeted: “Off to shoot `Rowdy Rathore` tonight. Will have to skip seeing Paris in Mumbai.” Paris, who is in India to promote her new line of bags, looked her glamorous best in a short silver dress and diamond earrings and said that she enjoyed the party.

“Had the best time at my party last night! Met so many amazing people! The women in India are so exotic and gorgeous,” she tweeted.

US socialite Paris Hilton greets fans after inaugurating her own boutique brand in Mumbai.

‘Lagaan’ makes it to all-time 25 best sports movies list

Aamir Khan`s `Lagaan` which won an Oscar nomination in the Best Foreign Language Film category, has

made it to the all-time 25 best sports movies list compiled

by Time magazine.

The 2001 film, set in the

times of the British Raj in India, clinched the 14th spot on the list. Produced by Aamir and directed by Ashutosh Gowariker, `Lagaan` tells the story of a group of villagers who strike a deal with the representatives of the Raj - if the locals defeat them in a game of cricket they get a break on their `lagaan`, or land tax.

“From the thunderclap in the first torrential rainstorm, a cue for riotous dancing to the climactic sunlight on the smiling faces of millions of viewers, this Bollywood epic is cause for joy of meteorological proportions,” the magazine says, calling the film “the longest and most enthralling underdog-sports movie ever”.

“Even those who know none of cricket`s complicated rules will bounce in their seats to AR Rahman`s irrepressible tunes; here, one can immediately and fully accept the Bollywood trope of music and dance as an expression of life`s deepest, most soaring emotions.

As sports film, social document or communal ecstasy, Lagaan is the all-time allrounder,” it added. `Lagaan` is the only Indian movie in the list, which is topped by `The Big Lebowski`, a film on bowling made in 1998. `Body and Soul` (1947), `Breaking Away` (1979), `Bull Durham` (1988) and `Caddyshack` (1980) rounded off the top five.

Catalan film beats Almodovar into Oscar race Spain nominated a film in Catalan for the first time ever as its candidate for Best Foreign Language Film at the upcoming Academy Awards, ahead of a picture by twotime Oscar winner Pedro Almodovar which stars Antonio Banderas.

The Spanish Cinema Academy chose "Pa Negre" (Black Bread), which is set in northeastern Catalonia shortly after the 1936-39 Civil War, and all of whose dialogue is in the regional Catalan language.

Other films that had been short-listed for Spain's official entry were "The Skin I Live in," Almodovar's first film with Banderas in more than 20 years, and "La Voz Dormida" (The Sleeping Voice), another film dealing with the Spanish Civil War's brutal aftermath.

"It's great news. 'Pa Negre' depicts diversity and wealth as positive values and not damnable handicaps," producer Isona Passola told journalists after hearing the

Spanish Academy's decision.

One of those Goyas went to the film's Agusti Villaronga for best director, and he went on to recently win the National Cinematography prize in Spain. Villaronga, 58, has also won seven Ariel prizes, awarded

by Mexico's film academy, for his 2002 work "Aro Tolbukhin."

The film's title refers to low-quality bread many had to eat after the war, if they ate at all, and is seen through the eyes of Andreu, a boy whose parents were on the losing side in the conflict which stirs controversy to this day in Spain.

As well as Francesc Colomer, in the role of Andreu, the film stars Sergi Lopez, who also acted in the 2006 Oscar-nominated picture "Pan's Labyrinth" -- in which he spoke Castillian.

Multilingual Lopez has also acted in English -- in "Pretty Dirty Things" (2002) and French, in "An Affair of Love" (1999).

Farmer orders Rihanna off land Pop star Rihanna got her marching orders after a farmer objected to her peeling off her clothes while filming a new video on his land, it has been disclosed, MSN News reports.

Alan Graham, 61, pulled up in his tractor and told the sexy singer to cover up and later claimed: “Her behaviour was inappropriate.”

Rihanna was recording a video for We Found Love with Scottish DJ Calvin Harris in a muddy barley field near Bangor, Co Down – ahead of three sell-out shows at Belfast’s Odyssey Arena this weekend.

I’d rather be healthy than thin: Rowland ‘X Factor’ judge Kelly Rowland has revealed that she hits the gym to stay healthy, and doesn’t do so in order to be as thin as possible.

“It’s not all about dress size but also about being healthy as well. I’ll never be a size zero.

I’m happy being a size 10, but I want to be healthy,” Contactmusic quoted the former ‘Destiny’s Child’ singer.

“I work out every other day at least. If you don’t then I don’t think you see the rewards.

Even if you can get 30 minutes of cardio in every other day you’ll see a big change in yourself,’ she added.

The Grammy-award winner also revealed that she is a big believer in keeping the body toned.

“Twenty minutes each on the bike and the cross trainer are great for that. Also sit-ups are the only way to a flat stomach,” she added.

Rowland also follows a healthy eating plan, but doesn’t believe in depriving herself of her favourite foods.

“There’s a great diet called the 80/20 diet, which means you make sure 80 percent of the stuff you eat is good and the other 20 percent is your choice. It’s great because it means you’re not depriving yourself of anything. “Breakfast is very important, and I’ll start with porridge. Lunch will probably be my most calorific meal of the day to give me energy at work.

20

Rock and Roll Hall unveils nominees for 2012

Trailblazing women in rock such as Joan Jett and Heart's Wilson sisters, as well as iconic rappers the Beastie Boys were among 15 music acts nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012.

"From vocal groups to hip-hop, from singer-songwriters to hard rocking artists, this group represents the spirit of what we celebrate at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame," president and chief executive Joel Peresman, said in a statement.

Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, whose "I Love Rock N' Roll" became an anthem of the musical genre fame, and

"Crazy on You" singers Heart, led by Ann Wilson and her sister Nancy Wilson,

are both first-time nominees.

They are joined by rockers Guns N' Roses, The Cure, The

Small Faces/The Faces and R&B artists The Spinners, Rufus with Chaka Khan, bluesman Freddie King and 1980s rappers Eric B. & Rakim among those nominated to the Hall for the first time.

Repeat nominees who failed to make it into the institution in previous years were the Beastie Boys, funk rockers Red Hot Chili Peppers and War, as well as disco-era songstress Donna Summer and 1960s artists Donovan and Laura Nyro.

The 27th annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place in Cleveland on April 14.

Selena Gomez to host MTV Europe Music

Beauticians are busy in their work during a Beauticians’ Contest in Rawalpindi.

Shakira to be named Latin Grammy Person of the Year

Colombian singer Shakira will receive the Recording Academy person of the year at the Latin Grammys in November.

The Hips Don't Lie singer is to be honoured for her philanthropic contributions as well as her successful recording career.

Recording Academy president Gabriel Abaroa Jr said the organisation was honoured to pay tribute to such a "dynamic, socially conscious woman".

The tribute gala will be held a day before the annual awards show.

Shakira, is also up for three Grammys, including album of the year.

The 34-year-old star is the youngest person to receive the tribute. Previous recipients include Placido Domingo, Carlos Santana, Gloria Estefan, Julio Iglesias and Ricky Martin.

In a statement, the singer said receiving the award was "truly an honour".

Shakira rose to fame in the

US teen actress and singer Selena Gomez will host this year’s MTV Europe Music Awards in Belfast on November 6, the music channel said.

The 19-year-old, who is dating another teenage sensation the 17-year-old Cana-

dian pop star Justin Bieber, will aim to find time to tweet and provide commentary for mtvema.com website as well as her regular hosting duties.

Gomez follows the likes of Justin Timberlake, Eva Longoria, Katy Perry and Snoop Dogg in hosting one of pop music’s biggest nights outside the United States. Although held in a different European city each year, the MTV EMAs tend to be dominated by US acts.

Ronan Keating feels ‘lucky, blessed’ to have wife back

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy retains UK box office title

Former Boyzone member Ronan Keating has admitted that he feels lucky to have his wife back after their brief split a year ago.

Keating, 34, has been married to former model Yvonne Connolly for 13 years and has three kids with her. But the couple split last year following allegations that he had an affair with a dancer for seven months.

The singer admits that they are in a better place now, as he cannot live without his wife and feels blessed to have her back. “Thank God we’re in a good place. I’m very lucky. I feel blessed with this super life,” Contactmusic quoted the singer as saying.

“I can’t live without Yvonne.

I’m useless.

The new film adaptation of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy remains number one in the UK and Ireland box office for the second week running.

The film, starring Colin Firth, has now taken a total of £6.9m since it opened.

Romantic comedy Crazy, Stupid, Love, starring Steve Carell, opened at number two and Warrior debuted in third place.

The Inbetweeners Movie fell two places to four, followed by another new release, Drive - starring Ryan Gosling, which rounded off the top five.

The largely anticipated Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, is based on the espionage novel

by John le Carre.

Veena shoots her first Bollywood film

Pakistani actress Veena Malik was spotted, shooting for her maiden Bollywood project `Daal Me Kuch Kala Hai`, in Pune. Malik, who will share the screen space with actors Jackie Shroff and Shakti Kapoor in the film, will be seen in a double role in the movie.

Besides Bollywood, what has caught the fancy of the Pakistani beauty is social activist Anna Hazare. The lady

is all ga-ga over the anti-graft crusader.

Veena, who hogged the limelight for accusing her exboyfriend and Pakistani cricketer Muhammad Asif of being a match fixer, also grabbed eyeballs when she appeared on reality show Bigg Boss season 4. And now with a Bollywood movie and an item number in the bloc, we wish the actor all the luck for her new innings.

Actress Kirsten Dunst poses for photographers as she arrives for the British premiere of "Melancholia" the Curzon cinema in Mayfair, London.

Madhuri blasts divorce rumours!

Bollywood dhak dhak girl Madhuri Dixit, who is all set to return to India in October has shot down rumours of her divorce with her Denver-based cardiovascular surgeon husband Dr Shriram Madhav Nene.

Madhuri panned baseless reports and cleared the air about her relationship on micro blogging site Twitter. The actress tweeted, “Enjoying marital bliss. Team DixitNene on their way to India!”

Apparently, ever since the actress announced her plans to relocate to India, rumours were rife that Madhuri and Shriram have strained relationship.

Hema wants Dharmendra to pen his biography!

early 1990s, but it was not until the release of her 2002 single Whenever, Wherever that she achieved worldwide success.

Her 2009 album She Wolf has sold more than two million copies worldwide and she recorded Fifa's official song for the 2010 World Cup. Her philanthropic efforts began at the age of 18, when she founded a charity aimed at supporting the academic needs of underprivileged children. She is also a global ambassador for Unicef.

Even after years of marriage, there is a glint in Hema Malini’s eyes when she speaks of actor-husband Dharmendra.

The soft and gentle nature of Dharamji comes to fore when he is judging ‘India’s Got Talent - 3’ a TV channel reported.

The picture of beauty and poise, Hema Malini adores Dharamji a lot. She made it quite evident when at a recently held event the lady wished her husband write a biography.

On being asked if she remembers any couplet he re-

cited for her? She said with a laugh, “I never knew about

this poetic and shayarana andaaz of Dharamji. All this has

been revealed to me in the past few years. He`s got a whole lot of poems and couplets, and I wish he compiles them in a book.”

Further adding she said, “In fact, he`s completed 50 years in the industry, and I try to motivate him to write a biography! He`s worked with the likes of Bimal Roy, Hrishikesh Mukherjee right to the current crop of directors. It`ll make for really interesting reading.” Owing to his vast experience, Dharmendra’s biopic would sure be great read.

21 Google plans start-up centre in London's East End

A restaurant boat overturns after colliding with another restaurant boat on the Jialing River in Chongqing, southwest China. The boat was washed away by floodwaters and later sank. Eleven people who fell into the river were rescued.

Shipwreck of SS Gairsoppa reveals £150m silver haul

A shipwreck containing 200 tonnes of silver worth about £150m has been found in the Atlantic - the largest haul of precious metal ever discovered at sea.

The SS Gairsoppa, a UK cargo ship sunk by a German U-boat in 1941, was found by US exploration firm Odyssey Marine.

The firm will retain 80% of the cargo's value under the terms of a contract with the Department for Transport.

Only one person from the 85-strong crew survived the torpedo attack as the ageing steamer tried to reach Ireland.

The vessel was on its way

Coffee may prevent depression, scientists say Women who drink two or more cups of coffee a day are less likely to get depressed, research suggests.

It is not clear why it might have this effect, but the authors believe caffeine in coffee may alter the brain's chemistry. Decaffeinated coffee did not have the same effect. The findings, published in Archives of Internal Medicine, come from a study of more than 50,000 US female nurses.

The experts are now recommending more work to better understand the link.

back to Britain from India when it ran low on fuel in stormy weather, and tried to divert to Galway harbour, but it was spotted and sunk by the German submarine.

Three members of the crew survived in a lifeboat and reached the Cornish coast two weeks later, but two died trying to get ashore.

The wreck of the 412ft ship was found this summer nearly 4,700m below the North Atlantic, 300 miles off the Irish coast, but it was only confirmed as SS Gairsoppa last week.

Odyssey Marine's senior project manager, Andrew Craig, said: "We've accom-

plished the first phase of this project - the location and identification of the target shipwreck.

"Now we're hard at work planning for the recovery phase.

"Given the orientation and condition of the shipwreck, we are extremely confident that our planned salvage operation will be well suited for the recovery of this silver cargo."

SS Gairsoppa settled upright on the seabed with its cargo holds open, which means remote-controlled robotic submarines should be able to retrieve the bullion.

Only 1 in 5 children can tie reef knot

Only one in five children can tie a reef knot or repair a flat bike tyre, according to a new survey, which reveals the practical skills dying out among the young.

They are the practical skills that were once ingrained in every child by the time they reached their early teens – simple tasks like how to tie a reef knot, read a map or mend a bicycle puncture, a newspaper reported.

But these basic techniques are dying out among children, a new survey has found.

Only one in five of youngsters said they could tie the knot, with the same propor-

tion unable to repair a flat tyre on a cycle.

Even fewer (17 percent) said they would be able to identify a star constellation using a telescope, while almost a quarter said they would not be able to make and fly a kite.

The poll, commissioned by the Scout Association, found that even simple tasks like putting up a tent or cooking a meal could be achieved by only around half of youths, while 38 per cent said they did not known basic first aid. Half also said they could use a compass, with four out of ten claiming they could read a map.

Google has thrown its weight behind Tech City, East London's fast-growing hub for Internet companies, by signing a lease for a seven-floor building that will serve as a launch-pad for new start-ups and developers.

The centre, due to open in 2012, will house advisers from Google and other organisations that support technology entrepreneurs, the U.S. company said on Wednesday.

It will be located close to Old Street roundabout, dubbed "Silicon Roundabout," in an area of London that has already attracted hundreds of new Internet start-ups.

The move supports British Prime Minister David Cameron's ambition, announced in November 2010, for London's East End to become a technology centre to rival California's Silicon Valley.

The plan was backed by a host of technology companies, including Google, Vodafone, Facebook and Intel.

‘Chicks with Guns’: Some 15m US women pack heat

If you answered “a gun,” you’d be correct.

Based on polling research and gun-sale statistics, an estimated 15 million to 20 million women in the United States own their own firearms. Dozens of those heat-packing women are documented in “Chicks with Guns,” a new book by photographer Lindsay McCrum that is sure to challenge almost anyone’s assumptions about gun ownership.

“Their numbers are really high but their profile is actually really low,” said McCrum, who spent three and a half years capturing artistic and arresting portraits of women with their weapons of choice.

“I was so surprised by the variety and breadth and diversity of these women,” McCrum said. “There are so many stereotypes about guns, mostly derived from popular culture, but the reality is so much more complex and varied than you can imagine.”

Amazon unveils Kindle Fire tablet, priced at $199

Amazon.com Inc introduced its eagerly awaited tablet computer on Wednesday with a price tag that could make it the first strong competitor in a tablet market that has been dominated by Apple Inc's iPad. The new device, priced at $199, may have the biggest impact on other makers of tablets and e-readers, such as Samsung Electronics Co Ltd and Barnes & Noble Inc, maker of the Nook.

"It's a Nook killer," said Scot Wingo, chief executive of ChannelAdvisor, which helps merchants sell more on websites including Amazon.com.

"And it's a very compelling offering if you're not in the Apple ecosystem already."

The Kindle Fire tablet has a 7-inch screen, free data storage over the Internet and a new browser called Amazon Silk.

Amazon expects shipments to start on November 15.

Amazon also introduced the Kindle Touch, an e-reader with no buttons and a touch screen starting at $99. And it cut the price of its basic Kindle e-reader to $79 from $99.

"These are premium products at non-premium prices," Chief Executive Jeff Bezos said. "We are going to sell millions of these."

Police on chocolate thief trail Police are hunting conmen who stole £9,500 worth of chocolate bars, MSN News reports.

A man duped a driver into taking his delivery of Milka and Toblerone bars to a different location after he arrived at the Paycocke Road industrial estate in Basildon, Essex.

When he arrived at the new location, two other suspects were waiting and unloaded the goods on to another lorry.

Slopping out case: life of luxury in British jails

Prisoners in some modern British jails have been given luxuries such as including computer consoles, flat screen televisions complete with satellite channels and en-suite lavatories.

Inmates themselves have admitted conditions in some jails are like those at holiday camps.

One man jailed for repeatedly stabbing his wife once even claimed that he was enjoying a luxury life in prison and boasted that he was “better off inside”.

Prisoners also receive free bed and

board, wages and cash bonuses for good behaviour, while drugs are cheaper in jails than they are on the streets.

Prison officials have reported watching inmates simply sitting in their cells watching sport on television – sometimes on the Pay-TV channel Sky Sports – or playing games on computers or Playstation consoles.

Other prisoners have had access to en-suite cells with flatscreen televisions while at the same time being able to check dinner menus and

order their meals in advance. Such was the extent of the facilities in some jails, that a prison officers’ leader, Glyn Travis, claimed in 2008 inmates enjoyed such comfort in jail that they were ignoring chances to escape.

The assistant general secretary of the Prison Officers’ Association’s comments came after a drug dealer regularly broke into a Yorkshire jail over a six-month period, using a ladder to climb the walls and supply inmates with drugs and mobile phones.

Indian crafts woman Jasuben Shilpi, known as the Bronze Woman of India, gives the finishing touches to a clay statue of Dr Martin Luther King at her workshop in Adalaj, India.

22

23

Autumn heatwave gives ray a of hope to businesses

Trafalgar Square was the host of the Eid Festival, which showcased a range of entertainment reflecting the diversity, culture and languages of London’s Muslim communities.

Judge refuses to let brain-damaged woman die A brain-damaged, minimally conscious woman should not be allowed to die, a High Court judge said in a landmark ruling.

The case is the first time that a judge has been asked to rule on whether life-supporting treatment should be withdrawn from a person who is not in a persistent vegetative state but is minimally conscious.

The judge, Justice Baker, said the woman, named only as "M" had "some positive experiences" and that there that was a reasonable prospect that they could be extended, the Press Association reported.

Lawyer Yogi Amin, speaking on behalf of M's family, said they were deeply disappointed by the ruling.

"All parties agree that M's family have demonstrated their love and devotion for her throughout this case, and that they brought this application to court in what they perceive to be her best interests," he added.

"There can be no question that the past eight years have been extremely heart-breaking for them all.

"They love her dearly and want only what is best for her, and it has been desperately difficult for them to make this application to court for treatment to be withdrawn.

"They believe that M was clear that she would not have wanted to live in the condition that she is in."

In 2003, when she was supposed to be leaving for a skiing holiday, M, then aged 43, was found by her partner in a drowsy and confused condition. She was taken to hospital where she soon fell into a coma.

She was found to have suffered viral encephalitis which left her with extensive and irreparable brain damage.

Ever since, she has been completely dependent on others for her care, and since April 2003 has been fed via a tube.

A late burst of sunshine this week will be a boost to Manchester’s businesses a after a disappointing summer.

Forecasters say temperatures will reach 25C (77F) by Friday – the normal temperature for early autumn is 16C (61F).

Manchester is predicted to be hotter than Sydney, Milan and parts of California.

Business leaders say the autumn heatwave could result in a mini-spending boom, compensating for summer riots and washout weather.

Shops, restaurants, and bars said they were now desperately stocking up on beer, barbecues, and summer foods in order to meet unseasonal demand.

One restaurant, Giraffe in Spinningfields, said it had doubled its usual staffing this week as the sunshine tempted customers to its outside seating.

Manager Joao Vieira said:

“In Spinningfields, everyone comes out of their offices when the weather is amazing. It definitely helps our business.”

Dukes 92, in Castle Street, has reversed its plans after packing up its outdoor furniture.

Manager Neil Bird said: “We had started our end-ofsummer close-down but we’ve had to reopen and take outdoor furniture back outside. We’re expecting the weather to bring in more custom this week.”

The Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce said the good weather could create a mini-boom in the local economy.

Brian Sloan, the chamber’s chief economist, said: “The predicted spell of sunny weather will be a welcome boost to Greater Manchester businesses as it encourages people to get out and enjoy themselves after the recent spate of economic gloom.

10 launch appeal over sentences for Manchester and Salford riots The first sentence challenges by defendants jailed for their involvement in the August riots in Manchester is due to be heard by Court of Appeal judges.

The Lord Chief Justice, Lord Judge, sitting with Lord Justice Thomas and Lord Justice Leveson, will deal with appeals in 10 Crown Court cases stemming from the rioting and looting which took place in several English cities.

They include appeals by two men who were jailed for four years for setting up Facebook pages inciting others to riot.

One of the key issues for the three judges will be whether tough sentences handed down were "proportionate" in the light of the seriousness of the riots, or whether they were excessive.

Old man dies after kitchen fire at Horwich home

A pensioner was found dead after a fire in his home.

The body of Dennis Liderth, 71, was recovered by firefighters from an upstairs bedroom of his home on Arkwright Street in Horwich, near Bolton.

A small fire in a kitchen

caused by a pan of food on a cooker was also discovered.

Emergency services were called to the house at 3.40pm yesterday.

The fire and death are not being treated as suspicious.

In a statement, police said: "Officers attended and found

that a 71-year-old man had died.

"There were also signs of a small fire in the premises.

"There are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding the death and the matter has been passed to the coroner."

24

RCN wants longer hospital visiting hours

Dream comes true for six-year-old leukaemia girl A little theatre fan will have a ball when shoes she designed are worn by Cinderella.

Ruby Orr, six, began customising shoes to cheer herself up as she underwent chemotherapy after falling ill with leukaemia.

The Denton schoolgirl’s dazzling creations proved so popular with family and friends that she set up a small business called Ruby Slippers.

Since then her shoes have received the celebrity stamp of approval from the likes of Corrie’s Kym Marsh, comic David Walliams and broadcaster Gabby Logan.

Now Ruby is taking another bold step forward – after a pair of her slippers were chosen for a starring role in this year’s production of Cinderella at Manchester Opera House.

The deal was struck after the M.E.N. showed Ruby’s

designs to panto bosses, who were so impressed they signed her up on the spot.

For theatre-mad Ruby, who was diagnosed with leukaemia two years ago, it will be a fairytale ending to a year of bravery.

She is still receiving regular treatment but has recently been able to rejoin classmates at St Mary’s Primary.

Mum Vanessa, 42, said: “She started making these shoes when she was really poorly, as it gave her something to just sit and focus on while she was recovering. We quickly realised she was actually quite talented.

“Friends started wanting their own made. She got a great buzz out of it and decided to make her own little business. People would give her the shoes and pay for the crystals and she’d put it all together in her bedroom.

GM police stations will close to the public under cost-cutting plans

Greater Manchester Police has named the 33 front desks it wants to close to save money.

Among them are the public service counters at Grey Mare Lane, Stalybridge, Prestwich and Sale police stations.

The stations will have officers working inside them – but the public will be barred from entering and must instead use telephones mounted on the walls which will connect them to call centres elsewhere.

The remaining 22 front desks will remain open - including those at Wythenshawe, Swinton, Hyde, Bolton and Oldham police stations.

But only one public service counter – at Bootle Street

in Manchester city centre – will remain open 24 hours a day.

Peter Fahy, GMP's chief constable, has said his force will improve public access by making better use of neighbourhood teams and call centres instead of the 'little used' and 'grotty' front desks.

The closures will save £1.5m a year as GMP seeks to cut costs by £134m over four years.

The force announced its plans in June and has now settled on the precisely which front desks it wants to close following a period of public consultation.

Managers have entered a formal 90-day consultation period with the staff and unions.

Firefighters stand in front of a derailed train in Bad Lausick near Leipzig, Germany. Nearly 50 people were injured when the regional train derailed after hitting a car that was struck by another vehicle and pushed onto the tracks.

Hospital visiting times should be extended so patients' relatives can become more involved in their care, the Royal College of Nursing has said.

RCN head Peter Carter said he did not want relatives performing tasks nurses were employed to carry out, but that there were "real benefits" for patients when family members helped with care.

The Department of Health said family help needed to be alongside NHS care.

But patients' groups warned such a move could be "the tip of the iceberg".

Dr Carter, the RCN's general secretary, said the college was not suggesting families be compelled to carry out any tasks.

"We know that there are real benefits for patients where relatives can get involved in care, if that is what both the patient and family want," he said.

"We know from areas such as children's care that having familiar people involved at mealtimes for example can make hospital stays in particular less stressful for all concerned.

"What we would like to see is flexibility to allow relatives to help make patients comfortable, such as extending visiting times."

Department of Health chief nursing officer Christine Beasley praised the "amazing work" work of carers and relatives and welcomed their help but added: "This must be in addition to NHS care, not instead of it.

"Nurses should spend their time caring for patients and it is important to look at the way wards are run to help ensure this happens."

"I expect all hospitals to ensure that they are providing safe, high quality nursing care because this must be at the heart of the NHS."

Delighted dad reunited with daughter A dad has been reunited with his daughter nearly three years after she was taken abroad by her mother.

Henry Da Massa had not seen his daughter Pearl since she disappeared aged five after he dropped her off at her nursery in 2008.

He discovered Pearl’s mother Helen Gavaghan, 32, had taken the youngster from her Chorlton home to Mexico, the US and then Canada.

An international police hunt was launched and Henry moved from Manchester to Toronto in a bid to find Pearl.

But now he has finally

been reunited with his daughter after she was found in Montreal.

He and Pearl, now seven, are on their way back to Manchester from Gatwick airport after the Canadian courts gave them permission to fly back to Britain.

It is believed Helen has been arrested and is being held in Canada.

Henry said: “I’m elated. It was only when we got on the plane that I really knew we were coming home. It was the end of the mayhem and we could finally get back to normality.”

25

Mayor urges Spurs to accept stadium offer

London Mayor Boris Johnson urged Tottenham Hotspur to accept a 17 million pound package to stay in north London and drop a legal battle over the future of the main Olympic stadium.

The Northumberland Park development, close to Tottenham's historic White Hart Lane home, would help regenerate one of the most run-down areas of London which was a focal point in riots in August, Johnson said.

However, the club responded with a statement saying it was not yet in a position to commit firmly to the project.

The mayor has offered 8.5 million pounds to persuade the Premier League soccer club to stay in Tottenham and build a new 400 million pound stadium. A further 8.5 million pounds would come from local Haringey council.

Tottenham have been embroiled in a long-running battle with West Ham United over who should move into the Olympic stadium in east London once the 2012 Games are over, winning a court hearing for Oct 18 in an effort to overturn a decision in favour of West Ham. Most Tottenham fans want the club to stay close to its traditional home. However, the club says that local and national government both have a role to play in

supporting the development in area blighted by poverty and unemployment.

"The proposed stadium scheme and wider area development has the potential to lever hundreds of millions of pounds worth of muchneeded regenerative development to Tottenham," chairman Daniel Levy said in a statement.

"The overall scheme requires a complex package of financing of which the correct level and nature of public support is critical," he added.

"It would be wholly irresponsible of us to announce we were proceeding with the scheme without the appropriate agreements and support firmly in place.

Discussions are continuing with all the relevant stakeholders and we shall, as always, keep our supporters updated."

The mayor's offer did not come with a definite ultimatum, but he warned no more public money would be put on the table.

Sighthill tower blocks demolished Three 15-storey tower blocks, once home to 285 households, are reduced to rubble in under 10 seconds following a series of controlled explosions.

Hermiston, Weir and Glenalmond Courts were demolished by Edinburgh Council on Sunday to make way for up to 320 new homes, a newspaper reported.

Maureen Murdoch, a former resident of Glenalmond Court, was among those who gathered to witness the final implosion.

“I’ve spent 43 years of my life here. I had to be there, to see it just go,” she said. “So many memories are contained with the walls.”

Rail travel is a moral issue, ex-minister Adonis says Rail travel is "a moral issue" and the government must do more to protect customers, a former Labour transport secretary has said.

Lord Adonis told a meeting at the Labour conference that train companies must not be allowed to degrade services once they had taken on a franchise.

He also defended the £17bn high-speed line planned from London to Birmingham.

He said HS2 was vital "for the good of the country" and the alternative was "a classic British patch and mend".

Earlier this month, Conservative Transport Secretary Philip Hammond told a Commons committee that soaring fares had made Britain's railways "a rich man's toy".

Lord Adonis, who was transport secretary under Gordon Brown, told a fringe event at the Labour conference in Liverpool that because rail operators were effectively regional monopolies, it was up to ministers to keep them in line.

"The government should be speaking to the train companies and saying this is basically a moral issue," he said.

"You can't worsen the service for the public after you have taken on these franchises."

In 2009, the government was forced to take over the running of the East Coast mainline from operator National Express.

Lord Adonis told the IPPR event on Monday that when the franchise was "in the end game", the head of National Express suggested doing "dreadful things" to save money.

At a demonstration in front of Westminster, London Sikhs gathered to protest being asked to remove their turbans after having successfully passed through airport security scanners.

Muslim queue during the Peace for Humanity Conference at Wembley Arena in north London. More than 12,000 British Muslims are expected to attend a global peace conference at Wembley arena in London on Saturday to mark the 10th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks, organisers say. The event, organised by Minhaj-ul-Quran International (MQI), aims to launch a drive to secure one million signatures in support of a global declaration for peace calling for an end to terrorism and extremist violence.

London Philharmonic completes Olympic feat The London Philharmonic Orchestra has finished recording more than 200 national anthems for the Olympic and Paralympic Games next year.

The epic challenge took 52 recording hours at Abbey Road Studios and finished with Zimbabwe on Sunday.

The orchestra had only 10 to 12 minutes to sight read and record each piece.

Olympic gold medallist Jonathan Edwards made a unique contribution to God Save the Queen, playing the last cymbal crash.

"We realised the studio was about the same length as his world record long jump," conductor and composer Philip Sheppard told the BBC News website.

"He also had a go at conducting the orchestra."

Each of the 205 recordings had to have a unique arrangement created for the Olympics, Sheppard explained.

"It's for two reasons, one is artistic - to create a faithful (version) but redesigned with a fresh spin.

"The other reason is legal - you don't want

to replicate a previous arrangement."

Olympic rules dictate that each anthem must be between 60 and 90 seconds, so there is enough time to raise the flag on the winner's podium.

Sheppard said the shortest anthem was Uganda's, at 18 seconds, which he had to extend, while the Uruguayan anthem was the longest at nearly seven minutes ("the equivalent to an overture") and needed a lot of editing.

The orchestra had a world map laid out on the studio floor as there were some places they had not heard of.

"My geography has definitely been sharpened," said Sheppard, who met 45 delegations from various countries in three days to discuss his treatment of the anthems.

"All the delegations appreciated what the orchestra was doing," he said.

Every country will hear its anthem at least twice during the 2012 Olympics and the Paralympics - they will all be played at the welcoming ceremonies for each competing country.

Kashmiris, Internet bigot Stephen Birrell Sikhs demo in facing prison term

A man is facing a jail term for posting sectarian comments about Catholics and Celtic fans on a Facebook page called "Neil Lennon Should be Banned".

Stephen Birrell, 28, from Gallowgate, Glasgow, admitted posting the religiously prejudiced abuse between 28 February and 8 March this year. Glasgow Sheriff Court heard how he was caught after a police crackdown on sectarian internet campaigns.

Sentence on Birrell was deferred and he was told to expect a prison term.

The court heard how Birrell committed the offences just days after being released earlier from a 12-month jail sentence.

Prosecutor Mark Allan told the court that a special team of officers began investigating hate comments on the internet after the so-called Old Firm "shame game" on 3 March this year.

Mr Allan said: "They came across a site called 'Neil Lennon Should Be Banned'

and noted that the accused had made various comments on the Facebook page."

On 1 March, two days before the Old Firm match, Birrell posted: "Hope they (Celtic fans) all die. Simple.

Catholic scumbags ha ha."

On 4 March, the day after the game, he wrote: "Proud to hate Fenian tattie farmers.

Simple ha ha."

Four days later Birrell posted: "They're all ploughing the fields the dirty scumbags."

He also posted abuse directed at the Pope. The court was told that the police traced Birrell to his then home in Dalmarnock on 23 April.

Deferring sentence for background reports, Sheriff Bill Totten told Birrell: "What you wrote was vile and hateful there is no place for these kind of remarks in our city or in our country."

Sheriff Totten told Birrell that his comments could encourage impressionable people to behave in this way and were unacceptable.

New York to protest Indian repression

Hundreds of Kashmiris and Sikhs on Saturday staged separate demonstrations in front of the United Nations building as Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh addressed the 66th session of the UN General assembly.

Both groups called on the international community to raise its voice aginst human rights abuses by Indian security forces in Kashmir and Punjab.

A third group of about a dozen supporters of Indian Congress Party stood silently with placards of support for Sonia Gandhi and her son, Rahul, as well as Manmohan.

The Kashmiri group most voiferous. Carrying placards and raising slogans, they called on the U.N. SecretaryGeneral Ban Ki-moon to implement its resolutions that provide for the exercise of right of self-determination by the Kashmiri people.

26 Network Rail buys Victoria station mall for £91.8 million

Demonstrators stood with signs and taped mouths in a show of protest in front of Downing Street, to raise awareness of the massacre by the military of anti-government protesters in Yemen.

Human glider Scotland unveils new offshore flies through wind technology fund Scotland's First Minister Alex mum investment conditions hole in the side Salmond announced a new for low carbon energy -- from 35-million-pound offshore ensuring we brought offshore of mountain wind technology fund at the oil and gas expertise together

American wingsuit flier Jeb Corliss soared through a hole in Tianmen mountain near Zhangjiajie, Hunan province central China. The 35-yearold Corliss jumped from a helicopter 6,000 feet above the Tianmen mountain, flying towards it and sailed right through it, The Telegraph reports.

“That was one of the greatest wingsuit flights of my entire life. Thank you China, that was amazing,” said Corliss after he landed safely on a bridge.

start of a two-day Scottish low carbon investment conference.

Salmond also said Edinburgh-based Oyster wave energy developer Aquamarine Power had secured seven million pounds in new funding and a commitment of further investment from existing shareholders over the next two years to help the company into commercial production in 2014.

"Last year's conference gave a clear focus on what was needed to provide opti-

with the renewables industry, to providing the right support to bring research and development to Scotland," Salmond said.

"As developers and investors look across this global market for certainty and for leadership from government, they can look to Scotland to provide these things," he added.

He said the new fund would "support production of full-scale prototypes of the next-generation offshore wind turbines."

Rail operator Network Rail has bought a 83,000 square foot shopping mall above London's Victoria Station for 91.8 million pounds ($142 million) from William Ewart Properties, the company said.

The deal sees Network Rail take over the leasehold of Victoria Place shopping centre, which sits above one of London's busiest stations.

Network Rail intends to redevelop the retail space to reduce congestion in the station.

Network Rail, which owns over 560,000 square feet of retail space at its UK train stations, has been active in refurbishing retail areas around some of its major stations, such as international hub Kings Cross station.

Amanda Knox was faithful girl in love, lawyer says

American student Amanda Knox was a young woman in love when jailed for the murder of a roommate in an Italian university town, nothing like the man-eater portrayed in court, a lawyer for her exboyfriend said.

Raffaele Sollecito's lawyer likened Knox to cartoon femme fatale Jessica Rabbit and said she was a besotted young woman who barely spoke Italian when she was accused of killing her British roommate. She was sentenced to 26 years in jail.

Knox has been described as "diabolical," a "witch" and a "she-devil" during three days of a court hearing into an appeal against verdicts that found her and Sollecito guilty of murdering Meredith Kercher in 2007 during a sex game gone wrong.

"Knox could be compared to Jessica Rabbit," said Giulia

Bongiorno, a lawyer for Sollecito. "She may appear to be a man-eater. In reality, she was a faithful woman in love."

Jessica Rabbit is a voluptuous but faithful femme fatale from the 1988 movie "Who Framed Roger Rabbit," where she famously says "I'm not bad, I'm just drawn that way."

37 students die in Pakistan bus crash

In a tragic accident a school van plunged into a ravine in Kallar Kahar on Monday killing 37 children and injuring many.

The driver lost control and the vehicle veered off the road at the Motorway in the Salt Range area of Chakwal. Kalar SHO Kahar Malik Ishan said that the crash took place near Salt Range due to the brake failure.

All the victims, aged between 12 to14,

were students of Millat School in Faisalabad.

They were returning to Faisalabad after completing a study tour in Islamabad.

More than 100 students were aboard the bus. The vice principal of the school, Hafeez Anwar, also lost his life in the incident. A student, while speaking to the media, said that some 105 children along with four teachers were aboard the bus.

27

Lending under govt small biz scheme over 40% down on 2010

A man descends over sacks of sand at the construction site of a commercial complex in New Delhi, India.

Ultimate Law champions Right to Buy mis-selling cases

A law firm which has developed a reputation for championing consumers' rights has set up a division to take on cases involving the misselling of homes under the 'Right to Buy' scheme.

The initiative was introduced in the 1980s to enable council tenants to buy their properties. However, Altrincham-based Ultimate Law said it has emerged that some people bought their homes following inappropriate advice from lenders and solicitors.

Daniella Lipszyc, a director of Ultimate Law, said properties were often sold at inflated values and tenants paid professionals over the odds in fees and commissions.

“While many people no doubt benefited when they purchased their council properties, a significant number were also left worse off,” she said.

“Purchasers were led to believe they could only profit when they bought their council property, but this was ob-

viously not the case.

“Buying a property is always a calculated risk, but the victims in this mis-selling were advised in a negligent way.

“The advice they were given was not in their best interest, but in the interest of lenders and brokers who stood to gain from the purchase being completed.

“It's yet another example of the consumer being mistreated and the scale of the problem is only just being brought to light.

“We've always been determined to stand up for people who've been mis-sold financial products and we've seen clear examples of this in the Right to Buy cases we've been examining.”

Ultimate Law has recruited nine fee earners since the start of the year in response to demand for its services. As well as acting on Right to Buy cases, it tackles other consumer complaints against banks, building societies and lenders.

Royal Bank of Scotland takes on investment bank apprentices

Six new apprentices have started in the investment banking operations division of the Royal Bank of Scotland.

The two-year apprenticeship scheme, in partnership with the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce and its training provider Skills Solutions, offers young people an alternative route to launching a career in investment operations rather than going to university.

Clive Memmott, chief executive of Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, said: “Apprenticeships give organisations the opportunity to develop individuals, shaping their talent to meet the needs of the business.

“This programme is designed to offer young people a viable alternative career path as they can learn about a business and obtain a qualification of real merit.

“We are really pleased that RBS has partnered with us and we look forward to working with them.”

The programme commenced earlier this month in RBS’s European Operations Centre, in Spinningfields, Manchester.

The six apprentices will study towards industry recognised qualifications as well as gain training and work experience within RBS’s Global Banking & Markets division.

Once they have successfully completed the programme, apprentices are placed to enter RBS’s permanent workforce.

Damian Pettit, head of the GBM European Operations Centre, said: “In the current challenging climate of increasing university fees and decreasing job opportunities, we are very excited to be able to offer an apprenticeship programme.

“It works well for the apprentices in that they get a practical qualification whilst entering the work place and also for us in developing our talent pipeline.”

A new report claims the amount of money provided by the government's principal small business lending scheme has fallen by over 40% in just 12 months.

The report, compiled by financial services company Syscap, reveals that business officials offered £433m under the Enterprise Finance Guarantee (EFG) scheme during the year to July 2011.

In contrast, a total of £742m was proferred under the aegis of the scheme during the previous 12 months.

The researchers also concluded that, over the three months to June 2011, only £93.1m was made available to new and growing business – compared to more than £250m in the second quarter of 2009.

Barclays got most banking complaints in H1: FSA

British customers made more complaints about Barclays than any other banking brand in the first half of the year, according to data released by the Financial Services Authority (FSA).

Barclays was the subject of 251,563 complaints, with 53 percent of closed cases upheld in customers' favour, the regulator's figures showed.

Next on the list was Lloyds TSB Bank Plc - a division of the part-nationalised Lloyds Banking Group -- which received 181,907 complaints between January and June.

Santander UK was third, with 168,888 complaints.

Banks remain in the firing line of the general public and politicians around the world, with memories still fresh over the billions of pounds of taxpayer money that was spent to prop up the system during the global credit crisis.

Barclays said it was working hard to improve its service and pointed out that the number of complaints about it during the first-half of this year was down 14 percent from last year.

"Delivering excellent service to our customers is our goal every single day, in every single way a customer interacts with us. We want to get it right every time. When we do get it wrong, we apologise, try to correct it quickly and identify how to prevent it from reoccurring," said Antony Jenkins, chief executive of Barclays' retail and business banking arm.

This month, figures released by Britain's financial ombudsman showed that disputes over controversial loan repayment insurance had caused a surge in consumer complaints about British banks and other financial companies.

Webuyanycar.com launches US operations Car dealer Webuyanycar.com today revealed it had launched 20 branches in America.

The Rochdale firm, known for its catchy jingle, has invested more than £1m in opening the sites, mainly in the north east of the States.

Chief operating office Richard Harrison told the M.E.N the company, which has the same shareholders as chain Carcraft, hoped to make its American operation profitable within three years.

He added the firm, which has around 100 branches across the UK and reported pre-tax profits of £5m on a turnover of £315.1m in the year to September 30 2010, was likely to post a “fairly similar type of performance” this year.

28 US to provide drones to Turkey: Erdogan

Libya assures UK firms on key role in rebuild

The United States has agreed in principle to deploy US Predator drones on Turkish soil to aid in the fight against Kurdish separatist rebels, Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said.

The US military flies unarmed surveillance Predators based in Iraq and shares images and vital intelligence with Turkey to aid Ankara as it battles Kurdish Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) rebels who have camps in northern Iraq.

Erdogan, speaking to reporters in New York on Friday where he attended a UN General Assembly, said Turkey has offered to buy or lease the drones and that details are being worked out.

US troops are due to leave Iraq at the end of 2011. Turkish officials have expressed concern the PKK, which has bases in northern Iraq, might exploit any security vacuum left by the departure of the US military from Iraq. Security experts say Turkey is very dependent on the Predators and other spy aircraft in its fight against the PKK, which is listed as a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the United States and the European Union.

Britain's help in overthrowing Muammar Gaddafi will never be forgotten and British companies can expect to play an instrumental role in rebuilding Libya, a senior diplomat told executives.

"I would like to thank the British people and their government for their invaluable support," Mahmud Nacua, a long-time Libyan exile and now charge d'affaires at the country's embassy in London, told a private meeting of business people arranged by the British government.

"I can assure you that British businesses have a role to play and hope you will work with us to build the future Libya," Nacua told the meeting, attended by about 100 executives and closed to media other than Reuters.

Stephen Green, a former head of bank HSBC and now Britain's trade and investment minister, warned delegates they should take nothing for granted in their dealings with Libyans, however.

"They are not naive, they expect it to be profitable to us, but they're not going to do us any favours. It will be competitive," Green told delegates.

Diplomats owe $17 million in NY parking fines New York City is owed nearly $17 million (10 million pounds) in parking tickets issued to diplomats, a hefty amount that may have grown this week as world leaders gathered for the UN General Assembly. The city’s Department of Finance said unpaid tickets totalled $16.7 million through the end of July.

Egypt topped the list with $1.9 million in tickets, followed by Nigeria with about $1 million and Indonesia with about $725,000.

An anti-Gadhafi fighter sits on a Soviet-made Scud missile with a fellow rebel, outside a Libyan village near Sirte, one of Moammar Gadhafi's last remaining strongholds.

Chakvetadze seeks place in Russian Parliament Russia's 2007 US Open semifinalist Anna Chakvetadze is to try her hand at politics as she is to stand for the Right Cause party in the upcoming elections for the country's lower house of parliament, the State Duma.

The 24-year-old, formerly ranked in the top five in the world and winner of eight WTA titles, has not played since Wimbledon because of poor health.

However, she faces an uphill task in the elections as the party is in disarray after billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov was ousted as their leader last week. Chakvetadze, though, said she wanted to “try something new” and focus on women's rights and children's sports.

“I joined the Right Cause Party because it's a young party,” she said. “All of its members are young people, who have many fresh ideas.

“I believe I also can bring some fresh ideas into this

project.

“I'd like to be involved in deciding the questions concerning the sports sphere in case we manage to enter the State Duma.

“I am especially interested in children's sports. I believe the state should support the children's sports activity, making it completely free of charge.”

The Right Cause, a probusiness party in the country has little popular support with political pundits saying they have the support of only about two percent of the population.

A vintage P-51 Mustang airplane crashes into the edge of the grandstands at the annual Reno air racesin Reno, Nev. The World War II-era fighter plane flown by veteran Hollywood stunt pilot Jimmy Leeward plunged into spectators during the popular air show, creating a horrific scene strewn with smoking debris. Eleven people died.

US soldier gets 7 years in prison for Afghan murder The youngest of five US soldiers accused of killing unarmed Afghan civilians in cold blood was sentenced on late Friday to seven years in prison for gunning down a teenage boy whose corpse he posed with as if it were a trophy.

Andrew Holmes pleaded guilty on Thursday to a single count of murder — reduced in a deal with prosecutors from the more serious charge of premeditated murder — admitting he made a “bad decision” when he shot the young villager at close range.

“I wish I could tell the father and brothers in Afghanistan I’m sorry,” the tearful 21-year-old Army private said on Friday, near the conclusion of his court-martial at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

“It’s a deed that will never be forgotten. It will live on in my mind until the day I die.”

Peacekeepers deploy in tense Kosovo

NATO peacekeepers in Kosovo (KFOR) reinforced troops at a border crossing in the ethnic Serb north, a day after more than a dozen people were injured in clashes.

About 50 German KFOR troops in armoured vehicles and bulldozers were also deployed close to the main bridge in the divided town of Mitrovica.

KFOR troops deployed armoured vehicles, sand bags and barbed wire at the Jarinje crossing on the border with Serbia, about 100 km (60 miles) from Kosovo's capital Pristina.

Sixteen Kosovo Serbs and four peacekeepers were injured there on Tuesday during a confrontation between KFOR troops and a Serb crowd rallying against the removal of a barrier.

A white paper published by the Economist Intelligence Unit on Tuesday highlighted how stiff competition might be with South Korean, U.S., French and Italian firms all tipped as being well-placed if Libya can break with its past.

"If, as we expect, power is passed to an elected government staffed with able technocrats and supported by a wide range of interests ... the opportunities will be substantial, and the business challenges confronting potential investors will be on a par with those commonly faced in fastgrowing emerging markets," the report concluded.

British and French companies are hoping the support their governments showed for the anti-Gaddafi forces will give them a head start in Libya, where high-quality oil reserves and damaged or ageing infrastructure mean lucrative contracts could be up for grabs.

Firms have not been resting on their laurels, however, with executives telling Reuters in recent days that they already had representatives on the ground in Libya weeks ago when fighting was still fierce.

29 Labour attacks Murdoch empire

Amber Simpkins and her daughter Elezia Simpkins rub noses during a farewell ceremony in Gulfport, Miss.. Approximately 140 Mississippi Army National Guard soldiers are mobilizing for one year to Kuwait to support the U.S.led war in Afghanistan.

Saudi woman to be lashed for defying driving ban

A court in Saudi Arabia has sentenced a woman to 10 lashes for breaking the country's ban on female drivers.

The woman, identified only as Shema, was found guilty of driving in Jeddah in July. Women2drive, which campaigns for women to be allowed to drive in Saudi Arabia, says she has already lodged an appeal.

In recent months, scores

of women have driven vehicles in Saudi cities in an effort to put pressure on the monarchy to change the law.

The sentence comes two days after the Saudi leader King Abdullah announced women would be allowed to vote for the first time in 2015.

Two other women are due to appear in court later this year on similar charges, correspondents say.

Saudi king gives women right to vote Saudi Arabia's king announced women would be given the right to vote and stand in elections, a bold shift in the ultra-conservative absolute monarchy as pressure for social and democratic reform sweeps the Middle East.

It was by far the biggest change in Saudi Arabia's tightly-controlled society yet ordered by the 88-year-old Abdullah bin Abdulaziz alSaud, who took power six years ago with a reformer's reputation but has ruled as a cautious conservative.

In practice, the measure will do little to change how the country is run: Saudi Arabia's rulers allow elections only for half of the seats on municipal councils which

have few powers. Only men will vote at the next elections which will take place next week; women will be allowed to vote in 2015.

The king did not address broader issues of women's rights in a country where women are not allowed to drive and require a male relative's permission to work or leave the country.

But the announcement was hailed by liberals and activists who said it raised hopes that other demands for greater democratic and social rights might one day be met.

"This is great news," said Saudi writer and women's rights activist Wajeha alHuwaider. "Women's voices will finally be heard. Now it

Candy Sheridan, a representative for the Dale Farm travellers (R) walks with some other representatives from Dale Farm as they leave the High Court in London. Traveller residents on the illegal Dale Farm settlement have again won a High Court extension to their eviction notice.

The Labour Party attacked Rupert Murdoch's media empire over a phone hacking scandal at its British newspaper arm and called for a shakeup of media ownership laws and regulation.

A succession of Labour politicians stood up to attack Murdoch's group at the party's annual conference which debated a motion calling on Murdoch's son, James, to stand down as chairman of British broadcaster BSkyB. MP Tom Watson, a member of parliament's media committee who has campaigned hard over phone hacking, urged the conference to tell regulator Ofcom what it thought about James Murdoch.

"I wouldn't put him on the board of an ornamental garden. He is certainly not a fit and proper person to chair a major broadcaster," he said.

Govt approves South Africa honeymoon suspect's extradition Home Secretary Theresa May has given the go-ahead for the extradition to South Africa of a British businessman accused of murdering his wife while on honeymoon in Cape Town, the Home Office said.

Millionaire Shrien Dewani, 31, is accused of conspiring to kill his wife, Anni, in a fake car-jacking last year, a charge he denies.

"Mr Dewani now has the opportunity, within 14 days, to appeal to the High Court against the decision of the district judge and/or the home secretary," a Home Office spokesman said.

Anni Dewani, 28 and from Sweden, was shot when the taxi the couple were travelling in was hijacked in the Gugulethu township on the outskirts of Cape Town last November.

She was found dead in the back of an abandoned cab with a bullet wound to her

neck after cabbie Zola Tongo drove the newlyweds to the township. Dewani claims the vehicle was carjacked and that he and Tongo were forced out of the car unharmed before Mrs Dewani was driven away and killed.

However, Tongo turned state witness and, in return for a reduced sentence, alleged that Dewani paid for his wife to be killed.

Dewani has fought extradition proceedings, arguing that he is suffering from severe post-traumatic stress disorder and is too unwell to be sent abroad for trial.

However, in August a judge approved the extradition, a decision upheld by the Home Secretary.

The prosecutors office in South Africa said it had not yet received notification from Dewani's legal team about intentions to appeal but was confident of getting him to South Africa.

Kayani cancels UK visit Pakistani Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Ashfaq Parvez Kayani has canceled a visit to Britain as the US outrage grows over allegations that ISI helped Haqqani network attack American targets in Afghanistan.

Britain’s Ministry of Defence said Gen Kayani, who was expected to meet privately with UK Defence Minister Liam Fox, had canceled the visit, declining to speculate on why the visit was scrapped.

A Pakistani official said Kayani was staying in Pakistan to hold talks on the crisis sparked by the US accusations against Pakistan’s military-run Inter-Services Intelligence agency.

Kayani has dismissed the allegations as baseless. But a Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee has said the US should consider military action as an option against Pakistan.

30

31

Haqqani network was Thousands of foreign students reported over visas once CIA’s ‘blue-eyed boy’

Pakistani Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said that the Haqqani group that the US held responsible for last week’s attack on the American embassy in Kabul had been the CIA’s ‘blue-eyed boy’ for many years.

Responding to questions during an interview with Al Jazeera television, Khar, who is in New York leading Pakistan’s delegation to the UN General Assembly, rejected US accusations against the ISI, saying that it had no links to the Haqqani network.

“If we talk about links, I am sure the CIA also has links with many terrorist organisations around the world, by which we mean intelligence links,” she said.

“And this particular network, which (the United States) continues to talk about, is a network which was the blueeyed boy of the CIA itself for many years.”

When asked about Admiral Mike Mullen’s statement that the Haqqani group “acts as a veritable arm” of the ISI, the foreign minister said, “It is something that goes very, very unappreciated on our side. This is unsubstantiated.

No evidence has been shared with us.” She added that partners and allies did not talk to each other through public statements.

She said that Pakistan had taken up the matter with the US, but that the spate of hos-

Academics are reporting more than 1,500 foreign students a month to immigration officials over suspicions about their UK visa status, figures show.

At least 27,121 migrants were reported to the UK Border Agency by universities and other foreign student sponsors between March 2009 and August 2010.

The figures were released to the Manifesto Club campaign group under the Freedom of Information Act.

tile statements coming from senior US officials meant that Washington had taken a policy decision. She said that if that was the case then “we have the right to make our own decision”.

Khar went on to say that blame games would not help and that Pakistan wanted to be a US ally. “I just hope that we’ll be given a chance to cooperate with each other and that the doors will remain open - because statements like this are pretty much close to shutting those doors,” she added.

Replying to a question, the foreign minister said that the drone attacks not only violated Pakistan’s sovereignty, they were also counterproductive, and greatly angered the people of Pakistan. “I think we must not be tested more than we have the ability to bear,” she added.

Some 228,000 foreign students came to the UK to study last year. Three in four of these come from outside the EU. In its Students Under Watch report, the Manifesto Club, which campaigns against regulation, said strict visa controls were forcing academics to spy on students, eroding academic autonomy and damaging relationships between students and staff.

Proportionate system Josie Appleton, the group's director, said: "Acad-

emics are not border agents, and they should not be dragooned into spying on their students.

"The UKBA now has rights of entry to any university campus, which is a major threat to academic autonomy.

We call for a more proportionate system, which recognises the historic autonomy of the university."

The University and College Union, which represents academics said the relationship between staff and students

was incredibly important.

Its general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: "It is built on trust and must not be jeopardised by fears that lecturers may be spying on students.

"Successive governments have had plans to turn lecturers into spooks overwhelmingly rejected by the academic community."

In July, MPs accused the government of rushing plans to curb student visas, saying they could harm the economy.

China ready for next space leap The 10.5m-long, cylindrical module will be unmanned for the time being, but the country's astronauts, or yuhangyuans, are expected to visit it next year.

Tiangong-1 will demonstrate the critical technologies needed by China to build a fully fledged space station something it has promised to do at the end of the decade.

The space lab is set to ride to orbit atop a Long March 2F rocket.

State media say the lift-off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in Gansu Province is likely to occur between 21:16 and 21:31 local time (13:16-13:31 GMT).

The Long March will put Tiangong in a near-circular path around the Earth, just a few hundred km above the

surface.

It will operate in an autonomous mode, monitored from the ground. Then, in a few weeks' time, China will launch another unmanned spacecraft, Shenzhou 8, and try to link the pair together.

This rendezvous and docking capability is a prerequisite if larger structures are ever to be assembled in orbit.

Commentators say Russian technology, or a close copy of it, will be used to bring the two craft into line.

Assuming the venture goes well, two manned missions (Shenzhou 9 and 10) should follow in 2012. The yuhangyuans - two or three at a time - are expected to live aboard the conjoined vehicles for up to two weeks.

Chinese Vice Premier Meng Jianzhu and Pakistani Federal Minister for Interior Senator Rehman Malik reviewing the Guard of Honour at Ministry of Interior.

Man mauled by shark in South Africa

A man has had a leg bitten off and the other severed below the knee in a shark attack near Cape Town, South Africa.

The 42-year-old - thought to be a British citizen - was

swimming at Fish Hoek Beach, even though the area had been closed after a shark sighting.

A white flag warning of the presence of a great white shark was flying.

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Shoaib Akhtar riles India again Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has ruffled feathers in India again in a new headline-grabbing autobiography that also contains candid admissions about ball-tampering and corruption. The book, from the man who was once the fastest bowler in the world, takes a swipe at Indian heroes Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid, as well as unnamed figures who have "ruined" the game in Pakistan. page 17

Amazon unveils Kindle Fire tablet Amazon.com Inc introduced its eagerly awaited tablet computer on Wednesday with a price tag that could make it the first strong competitor in a tablet market that has been dominated

by Apple Inc's iPad. page 21

RITISH Foreign Secretary William Hague has distanced his country from the American blitz on Pakistan and declared: “Britain’s relationship with Pakistan is here to stay. What happens in Pakistan matters to Britain, and we will stand

by Pakistan as it addresses the challenges it faces and builds a durable relationship that we know will stand the test of time.”

The British foreign secretary was delivering a keynote speech at the Pakistan Society 60th Anniversary Dinner at Lincoln’s Inn. Chairman parliamentary committee on National Security Senator Raza Rabbani, Pakistan’s High Commissioner to the UK Wajid Shamsul Hasan, Deputy High Commissioner Nafees Zakaria, Lt Gen Anthony Palmer CBE, Sir Nicholas Barrington, Emran Tasadduq Husain, Shama Husain, Mark Sedwill, the UK’s Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, and many other distinguished British and Pakistanis were present in the high-end annual dinner.

Britain is America’s most trusted strategic and political ally, and it has been often criticised for almost always toeing the American foreign policy line, but the British officials have so far resisted and stayed away from joining their American counterparts in piling pressure on Pakistan for its alleged links with the Haqqani network and Taliban groups.

Hague’s speech clearly spelled out that his country would not be lumbered with the US for what he described as the “narrow set of interests” and held out that Britain’s relationship with Pakistan was based on “a tremendous latticework of connections of history and shared experiences, embodied in one million people with close ties to Pakistan, living in Britain today and the thousands of our citizens who travel back and forth each year to work, study and support projects or for simple enjoyment”.

In what can be constituted

Britain distances itself from US on Pakistan

as his appeal to US, Hague said Pakistan’s relations with its neighbours and friends were important and “must be handled with care”. Hague said Pakistan is vulnerable to instability in its neighbourhood but the country has the potential to contribute significantly to its own security.

Hague said he was delighted to meet Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar at the UN General Assembly and has “an extremely productive discussion”. William Hague described that the vision of Pakistan’s founding father was “still vivid and fresh in many people’s minds” and “all of us who visit Pakistan are conscious of the enormous potential for

the country to grow and develop, but also of the many challenges it faces”.

He warned that the population of Pakistan will grow by more than half in 20 years and what decisions are taken now with regard to the youth will determine the future of the country. Hague acknowledged that in the 10 years since 9/11, more than 30,000 Pakistani civilians have been killed by the terrorism and “Pakistan is on the frontline of terrorism and making bigger sacrifices in fighting it than any other country”.

He said the death of Osama Bin Laden and the disruption of Al Qaeda make us all safer and vowed that Britain was “committed to

working to help Pakistan combat extremism”. He said that Pakistan’s democratic development is critical to a stable and prosperous future, and it is not possible to have strong economic growth and political stability without democracy and the rule of law.

Hague also pointed out the efforts Britain was making to help address poverty in Pakistan. “British development aid over the next four years will help over four million of those children access to schools; it will recruit and train 90,000 new teachers and provide six million sets of text books. I am proud that over 80 per cent of Higher Education officials in Pakistan have been trained by

the British Council, and that the council cooperates with half of all the universities of Pakistan.”

Hague hoped that the trade flows between the two countries, which already stand at over £1b, will increase to £2.5 billion by 2015.

He pledged that Britain will continue to be the greatest advocate for Pakistan’s market access to the EU. Senator Raza Rabbani, who had flown from Pakistan, especially for this event, spoke at length about the 18th and the 19th amendments to the constitution and efforts of the civilian government to empower the masses, the provinces and the institutions.