Dengue virus kills five more persons in Lahore

Five more people lost their lives due to dengue fever in the city while death toll is increasing.
Media Reports say five more dengue patients died in Lahore during last few hours despite Punjab government’s claims of taking measures to control the virus. The patients who died from dengue include 55-year-old Shabir of Taj Pura who was under treatment at CMH, 58-year-old Rahat Bano of Taj Pura, 76-year-old Rafiqa Bibi of Township and 19-year-old Kiran of Chungi Amar Sadhu who was under treatment at General Hospital Lahore. Moreover, 45-year-old Rubina

Visit: Bolstering Pak-China cultural relations

ISLAMABAD:
In a bid to foster Pak-China cultural ties, a 37-member delegation of National Defence University (NDU) China visited Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) here on Wednesday.
The Chinese representatives were invited by National Defence University (NDU) Pakistan to showcase Pakistan’s soft and enlightened image through visual and performing arts.
The delegates were taken on a tour to the National Art Gallery where paintings by some of the legendary artists including Sadequain were on display.

Art show: Bold strokes, soft colours, big impact

Hajra Mansoor’s paintings at Nomad Gallery, depicting feminine beauty, are breathtakingly beautiful.
Mansoor, who has been painting for 40 years and is a renowned artist, was recently awarded the special title of Safir-e-Mashriq (ambassador of the east) in addition to a Pride of Performance national award. She is known for painting diverse genres such as classism, oriental formalism and neo-romanticism.
The gallery showcases 40 pieces painted in soft pastel colours. At times her work, depicting doe eyed female characters, seems like an abundance of perfection until she shifts to more serious issues, portraying a female domestic violence victim, morally and physically abused by her husband. Instead of using harsh, abrasive colours to depict socially unjust situations, her work achieves the same impact with softer colours

Kiwis hammer India in new hockey format

 Australia — There were goals aplenty in the international debut on Thursday of nine-a-side field hockey in Perth, Australia, where New Zealand thrashed India 6-3 in the men's matches.
The first night of the innovative four-day International Super Series, which includes a number of other trial rules such as 15-minute halves and wider goals to increase spectator appeal, produced entertaining and attacking hockey.
There was only one scoreless game in the four matches, with 21 goals scored in just 120 minutes of hockey.
However, the new format didn't agree with India's men, who paid the price for a sluggish start when they conceded the opening three goals to New Zealand in quick succession en route to a heavy defeat.

Squash: Marwat named new PSF secretary

KARACHI:
The Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) has named Wing Commander Abdul Wahab Marwat its new honorary secretary as a replacement for Irfan Asghar, who was recently handed a one-year ban by the World Squash Federation (WSF).
“With effect from October 19 Wing Commander Abdul Wahab Marwat has taken over as Honorary Secretary of the PSF,” said a media release issued yesterday.
According to PSF Vice President Qamar Zaman, the WSF ban was not the prime reason for Asghar’s ouster.

Railway workers protest over salary issue in Lahore

Railway labour unions once again launched protest here due to non payment of their salaries on Thursday.
According to the details, Lahore division and workshop labourers held protest demonstration as Federal Minister for Railways Ghulam Ahmed Bilour failed to fulfill his promise to release salaries of employees. Railway labourers staged a sit-in in front of trains parked at washing line.

French woman kidnapped by Somali militants dies

Marie Dedieu, who was believed to have been kidnapped by Somali al-Shabab militants. Photograph: Reuters
A Frenchwoman kidnapped from her beach house on Kenya's northern coast by Somali gunmen nearly three weeks ago has died, the French government said on Wednesday.

The French authorities said they heard Marie Dedieu, 66, had died via intelligence officers dispatched by Paris to the region to seek her release. However, they said they had no information as to when she died or in what circumstances.