LAHORE PAKISTAN: Kidney-related diseases could be avoided by adopting preventive measures. A comprehensive policy was needed to eradicate kidney diseases from the subcontinent. Kidney diseases creep in silently and can completely throw life out of gear.  It is possible to cut the risk of developing kidney diseases by taking steps. World Kidney Day on 11th March 2010 is a worldwide health awareness campaign aimed at improving the knowledge of kidneys, and most importantly ways to cut the rate of Kidney disease. World Kidney Day campaign with a Theme “Protect your Kidneys, Control Diabetes”, will focus on Diabetes as the most important cause of Chronic Kidney Disease. These views were expressed by P.M.S Chairman Dr Masood Akhtar Sheikh, while delivering a lecture at the Aristotle grammar school, under the auspices’ of Pakistan Medical Society. Dr Masood Akhtar sheikh said that preventive measures, a balanced diet and a pollution-free environment were essential to reducing cases of kidney diseases. Those at high risk of developing kidney diseases must be screened regularly to ascertain the function of the kidneys. The risk factors for Kidney disease are, age 50 and above, Smoking, Obesity, Diabetes mellitus and hypertension, Family history of diabetes mellitus or hypertension, Family history of kidney disease, Testing for Kidney Disease .Kidney diseases manifest gradually and symptoms show up at a very late stage when the patient’s kidneys have failed needing dialysis in some cases. Undetected CKD is a big problem in the developing world. A simple routine test of blood pressure, blood and urine test can detect initial signs of kidney problems. The evaluation is based on the fact that when kidneys are damaged, proteins can be detected in the urine, which is one of the key indicators of chronic kidney disease.  Laboratory tests are conducted on small samples of blood (to evaluate creatinine content and estimate GFR) and on urine (to evaluate creatinine and albumin excretion) which can indicate the risk of kidney disease. If CKD is detected early, treatment can help retard the progression of patients to end-state renal disease, and also cut the associated risks of cardiovascular diseases, which is a leading cause of premature deaths globally. Diabetes Can Kill Kidneys. Dr Masood sheikh said that a person with a failed kidney had to spend Rs 350,000 annually on his treatment. “According to a WHO report, every 10th person above the age of 15 years is suffering from some kidney disease,” he said.

Dr Masood sheikh said that diabetes is the number one enemy of our kidneys and this message is for all the 240 million people suffering from diabetes worldwide. More than 50% of people with diabetes go undetected and therefore do not receive the treatment they need. The risk of CKD is high for those suffering diabetes as research has shown that 40% of people with diabetes will develop CKD. Monitoring blood sugar levels regularly and screening for CKD can reduce the incidence of kidney damage to a great extent. Dr Israr Hussain Asif Said that we should be on the move for Kidney health -exercise and daily physical activity maintains blood pressure, cuts risk of diabetes.  Regular screening of blood sugar level, and blood lipids . 50% of people who have diabetes suffer damage to their kidneys – it is imperative that people with diabetes undergo regular tests to check their kidney functions. Kidney damage from diabetes can be slowed down if diagnosed early.   Blood pressure has to be monitored and brought under control, as it is a significant cause of kidney damage. The guidelines are as follows:  120/80 is the normal blood pressure level.   Principal of the School Dr Iram Masood said that blood pressure should be monitored regularly at this stage.  Weight must be maintained with a balance of healthy food and proper exercise. Maintaining weight helps in reducing the risks of CKD as it cuts the risk of diabetes and heart disease. Reduction in intake of salt helps to lower blood pressure. 5-6 grams of salt per day (around a small teaspoon, not heaped) is the recommended sodium (salt) intake per day.   Give up smoking

By: Dr. Masood Akhtar Shaikh, Chairman Pakistan Medical Society

UN chief Ban Ki-moon on Friday highlighted the importance of a successful review conference of the landmark Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which entered into force 40 years ago.
I would like to underscore the importance of a successful review conference, next May, the UN secretary general said in a statement. Ban, who was on a tour of earthquake-hit Chile, noted that the NPT has remained the cornerstone of the nuclear non-proliferation regime, the foundation for the pursuit of nuclear disarmament, and a framework for promoting the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. Review conferences have been held every five years since the treaty was ratified in 1970. There are currently 189 signatory countries. The previous review conference in May 2005 ended in disarray, with no agreement from the participants. Israel, widely believed to have a sizable nuclear arsenal, has refused to sign the NPT, as have both India and Pakistan, two regional powers which gate-crashed the nuclear club in 1998 by conducting tit-for-tat underground tests and which have fought wars against one another in the past. North Korea, which has conducted two nuclear tests since 2006, withdrew from the NPT in 2003. Also marking the NPT’s 40th anniversary, US Ambassador to the UN Susan Rice said Washington would use the May review conference to recommit itself, to reversing the spread of nuclear weapons and to building momentum for their eventual elimination. Ban, noting that the NPT also commits nuclear-weapon states to nuclear disarmament, hailed efforts by the United States and Russia to conclude a successor agreement to their START strategic arms reduction pact.

Al-Qaeda in Iraq has declared a nationwide “curfew” to try to stop Sunday’s elections, warning Iraqis they risked death if they voted.
The Islamic State of Iraq, an Al-Qaeda-led umbrella organization of insurgent groups, set the curfew from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm “throughout Iraq and especially in Sunni areas” in a message posted on its website. For the safety of our people, any of those who learn of this, report it to those who do not know and supply yourself with needs for the curfew, it said. The group added that anyone who defies the curfew will “unfortunately expose himself to the anger of Allah and then to all kinds of weapons of the mujahedeen.” Sunnis are expected to cast ballots in large numbers this weekend, in stark contrast to a 2005 boycott of the poll, despite fresh memories of bloodshed with the majority Shiites that has killed tens of thousands of people. The Al-Qaeda-linked statement came after Iraqi religious leaders ordered their fellow citizens during Friday prayers to vote in weekend parliamentary elections to safeguard the war-wracked nation’s fledgling democracy.

Defence Secretary Robert Gates will review allegations of misconduct in Afghanistan by the company formerly known as Blackwater and shares concerns raised by a top senator, the Pentagon said.
Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin had made a personal appeal to Gates last week for the Pentagon to consider blocking a potential $1 billion contract with Blackwater, which has changed its name to Xe, to train Afghan police. Levin cited what he called evidence of misconduct in a previous subcontract awarded to a Blackwater affiliate to conduct weapons training for the Afghan National Army. He is looking into it and he takes it seriously, Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell said of Gates. But Morrell played down the chances of any swift action to bar Blackwater from contracts, citing Pentagon rules and the company’s unique capabilities. Like it or not, Blackwater has technical expertise that very few companies do have. And they have a willingness to work in places that very few companies are willing to work. So they provide a much-needed service and the ability to do it well, he added. In a letter to Gates dated February 25 and released publicly on Thursday, Levin, a Democrat, said Blackwater may have used a front company for the contract, made false official statements and misled Defence Department officials in its proposal documents. There was also evidence Blackwater may have misappropriated government weapons, carried weapons without authorization and hired unqualified personnel with backgrounds that included assault and battery, as well as drug and alcohol abuse, Levin said. Levin said the Pentagon should consider Blackwater’s past “deficiencies” in deciding whether to award the new contract worth as much as $1 billion to the company to provide Afghan national police training. A US court last December threw out manslaughter charges against the Blackwater guards involved in that incident, a decision that outraged Iraq’s government. In January, two US security contractors working for Paravant LLC, a unit of Xe, which was previously known as Blackwater Worldwide, were arrested in Afghanistan on charges they murdered two Afghans in Kabul and wounded a third.

Pakistan News: Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry rebuked Chairman NAB Naveed Ahsan on not reopening of Swiss cases.
During the bankers’ city case hearing, the CJ ordered that no NAB official would be allowed to appear before the court unless the court orders were implemented, adding that the condition would be applied in the whole country. The angry CJ told Naveed that he would be held accountable for delay in the process of subjudice cases, adding that to get the court orders implemented is his duty.
He questioned him angrily that why the prosecutor general and additional prosecutor general are still working despite the orders given by the SC to replace them both in its November 16 verdict. The CJ warned the NAB Chairman that his salary would be withheld if he did not comply with the court orders.

Pakistan News: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani Wednesday announced issuance of a fresh notification to elevate Justice Mian Saqib Nisar and Justice Asif Saeed Khosa of Lahore High Court (LHC) to the Supreme Court (SC) while Justice Khawaja Mohammed Sharif would continue as LHC Chief Justice.
Following an over three-hour long meeting here at the Prime Minister House, Gilani announced the decision superseding the earlier notification of the President for appointment of Justice Khawaja Mohammed Sharif as judge of the Supreme Court and Justice Saqib Nisar as acting Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court. The Prime Minister also announced that Justice (Retd) Khalil-ur-Rehman Ramday who retired as judge of the Supreme Court last month would also be appointed as ad-hoc judge of the Supreme Court for a period of one year.
Gilani said the meeting was “part of the consultative process for the appointments in the superior judiciary which has to be participatory, and consensus oriented.”
The Prime Minister said “the government holds the judiciary in high esteem and shall implement all the decisions of the higher judiciary in letter and spirit.”
When asked whether the meeting would have any impact on the decision of the Supreme Court on the NRO, he said the court decision would be fully implemented. About the court’s verdict on appointment of Chairman National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Gilani said “leave the decision about the NAB to the government.”
He said during the meeting important decisions were taken under which two permanent and one ad-hoc judge would be appointed in the Supreme Court and all vacant seats in the judiciary would be filled in immediately.
He said the process for the elevation of judges in the Lahore High Court and the Sindh High Court was finalized and appointments would be made after observing procedural requirements. Gilani said the outcome of meeting was in the best interest of the nation and would bring more stability to the system.
To a question, he said both the executive and judiciary were working in the ambit of constitution and there would be no need to apply the law of necessity. According to a press release issued by the Prime Minister House, the meeting took stock of institutional framework as enshrined in the Constitution and it was reiterated that the rule of law “forms the basis for the functioning of all the state organs to ensure greater welfare of the people”.
It was agreed that in order to achieve this goal the process of consultation among the pillars of state should be constructive and meaningful. “It was decided that judiciary would be further strengthened to provide cheap and immediate justice to the public at their doorsteps.” The Chief Justice of Pakistan said the judiciary would continue to play its role for upholding the rule of law and constitution to strengthen the democratic system for the greater glory of Pakistan.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the members of its Governing Board in the category of elected representatives of Regional Cricket Associations for the next two years.

According to PCB media release as recommended by Chairman PCB Ejaz Butt and in terms of Article 8(1-b) & (2) of the PCB constitution 2007, the President of Pakistan in his capacity as patron of PCB has approved the names the members of PCB Governing Board.

Maj ® Naeem Akhtar Gillani President, Rawalpindi Regional Cricket Association replaces Shakil Sheikh President Islamabad Regional Cricket Association.

Mir Haider Ali Talpur, President Hyderabad Regional Cricket Association replaces Dr. Mohammad Ali Shah President Karachi Regional Cricket Association.

Tariq Baloch, President, Quetta Regional Cricket Association replaces Mian Mohammad Munir, President Multan Regional Cricket Association.

Chaudry Mohammad Anwar, President, Faisalabad Regional Cricket Association replaces Amir Hayat Rokhri, President Lahore Regional Cricket Association.

More here:
President of Pakistan approves GB members for representatives of Regional Cricket Associations

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and USA Cricket Association (USACA) have agreed to have a long term agreement for playing cricket in USA. The two boards are still finalising the dates and the types of match competitions – assurances were made by both parties that a long term agreement to play in the USA will begin with a match series later in 2010.

“ On sidelines of ICC meeting in Dubai, Chairman PCB Ijaz Butt and COO PCB Wasim Bari held a meeting with USA Cricket (USACA) officials to discuss organizing match series in USA in 2010”, PCB said in a statement.

Pakistan playing as a full member in the USA is in line with the ICC policy to grow the sport in countries such as the United States,” said Butt, who rushed back home after the first day of the ICC baord meeting on the call of the President of Pakistan – who is the Chief Patron of PCB.

Continued here:
PCB and USA Cricket Association agree to play a series in America

WASHINGTON: US Vice President Joe Biden has said al Qaeda was moving in the direction of smaller but “devastatingly frightening” attacks and he viewed the chance of another September 11-style mass assault as unlikely.

In an interview with CNN’s “Larry King Live” program, Biden also said the situation in Pakistan worried him more than that of Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan.

“It’s a big country,” Biden said of Pakistan. “It has nuclear weapons that are able to be deployed. It has a real significant minority of radicalized population. It is not a completely functional democracy in the sense we think about it. And so … that’s my greatest concern.”

Biden, who was the chairman or ranking member on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in the decade before becoming vice president, said Iran’s nuclear program was a “real concern.”

“If they continue on the path of nuclear weapons and were able to gain even a modicum of the capability, then I worry what that does … what pressure that puts on Saudi Arabia, on Egypt, on Turkey. … To acquire nuclear weapons, that’s very destabilizing,” he said.

Although U.S. intelligence chiefs testified before a congressional panel recently that new al Qaeda-backed attacks are certain in the coming months, Biden said he thought any attempt would be small-scale.

“The idea of there being a massive attack in the United States like 9/11 is unlikely, in my view,” he said, referring to the September 11, 2001, hijacked plane attacks on New York and Washington, which left nearly 3,000 dead.

“If you see what’s happening, particularly with al Qaeda and the Arabian Peninsula, they have decided to move in the direction of much more small bore but devastatingly frightening attacks,” Biden said.

He said a likely model was the attempted Christmas attack on an airliner headed for Detroit. Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, 23, is accused of trying to blow up the Amsterdam-to-Detroit flight with a bomb sewn into his underwear.

“The concern relates to somebody like a shoe bomber or the underpants bomber, the Christmas attack or someone just strapping a backpack on them with weapons … and blowing up,” Biden said.

Asked if an attack like that would actually happen, he said, “Well, I think there are going to be attempts.”

The vice president expressed optimism about Iraq, saying it could end up being “one of the great achievements of this administration.”

“You’re going to see 90,000 American troops come marching home by the end of the summer,” Biden said. “You’re going to see a stable government in Iraq that is actually moving toward a representative government.”

He said he had visited Iraq 17 times, going every two or three months.

“It has impressed me,” Biden said. “I’ve been impressed how they have been deciding to use the political process rather than guns to settle their differences.”

Powerball Winning Nnumbers, The very first Powerball lottery drawing that includes New York and New Jersey took place Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010. These are the winning numbers:

White balls: 17, 22, 36, 37, 52

Powerball: 24

The estimated jackpot is $116 million.