Mark Will Ring The Nasdaq Bell on 18 May , 2012

NEW YORK — Wall Street has one simple task as Facebook Inc. shares begin trading: Don’t mess it up.

Major stock exchanges, brokerage firms and mutual fund companies have been gearing up for one of the biggest initial public offerings on record. And, with all the hype surrounding the social-media giant, any snafus would be a major embarrassment.

“It has to go off without a hitch. There’s going to be a lot of visibility on this,” said Larry Tabb, chief executive of the TABB Group consulting and research firm. “If this goes poorly, it will not just be a poor reflection on Nasdaq — it will be a poor reflection on the U.S. market structure.”

In pricing its stock at $38 on Thursday, Facebook raised $16 billion in the third-biggest IPO in U.S. history and the largest ever by a tech company. The stock trades as FB.

The company is expected to sell an additional $2.4 billion in stock later this month, raising the total value to $18.4 billion. That would make it the second-largest U.S. IPO, trailing only the $19.65 billion raised by Visa Inc. in 2008.

The IPO values Facebook at $104 billion, by far the largest ever for a newly public company.

Facebook shares are scheduled to begin trading at 11 a.m. Eastern time, 90 minutes after the Nasdaq Stock Market opens. The late start is designed to give the stock exchange and Wall Street brokerage firms sufficient time to process what is expected to be a crush of opening-day orders.

At center stage is the Nasdaq, considered to be the world’s premier home for technology companies. The exchange has been testing various scenarios for how the stock will open, checking its systems through a dummy ticker — ZWZZT — to allow clients to practice processing their orders.

Glitches do happen. In April, when software developer Splunk Inc. went public on the Nasdaq, the price soared so high the exchange halted trading. However, trading reportedly continued elsewhere, leading to canceled trades.

The biggest blunder happened in March when BATS Global Markets, an electronic trading platform, suffered a trading debacle. A software glitch sabotaged the company’s own IPO, which sent the stock plummeting and forced it to cancel the offering altogether.

BATS has been in talks with Nasdaq about the Facebook IPO, but hasn’t participated in any of the tests. However, clients have been routing test orders of Facebook through the exchange, spokeswoman Stacie Fleming said.

Meanwhile, the New York Stock Exchange is making sure it is ready for the crush of new shares that will be dumped into the market Friday. The Big Board has dedicated a server just for Facebook trading that will be done on the NYSE Euronext Inc.’s all-electronic Arca exchange.

“We’re fully prepared,” NYSE spokesman Rich Adamonis said.

Tabb said myriad problems could arise, though he predicted high volume wouldn’t be one.

Buyers and sellers may not get access to the stock, he said, because market data feeds connecting all the exchanges could hit a snag, trading algorithms may not be properly tuned, or a server could crash.

“If there’s a problem it’ll be a technology glitch,” Tabb said.

Brokerages are getting ready to field phone calls from customers who want Facebook shares — and potentially upset clients who didn’t get as large of an IPO allotment as they wanted.

Fidelity Investments in Boston, one of the country’s largest retail brokerages, has employees on standby to deal with high customer demand, spokesman Steve Austin said.

Wall Street might spend the remaining few hours before Facebook’s public debut worrying about what might go wrong. But there’s a decidedly different atmosphere on the West Coast at Facebook’s Menlo Park headquarters.

Hundreds of employees spent Thursday in a “hackathon” — an all-night work session for programmers and engineers.

Even founder Mark Zuckerberg was expected to attend the event — until he rings the Nasdaq’s opening bell.

By Andrew Tangel and Walter Hamilton, Los Angeles Times

Seoul Nuclear Summit 2012

To secure the world from the threat of nuclear weapons and nuclear weapons technology has remained the top priority agenda for the global nuclear powers in the 21st century. For this purpose almost fifty eight nations have gathered in Seoul, South Korea which includes many heads of the states such as President Lee Myung-bak, host of the summit, U.S. President Barrack Obama, Chinese President Hu Jintao, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Japanese Prime Minister Noda Yoshihiko, Heads of the United Nations, the International Atomic Energy Agency, the European Union and Interpol. The South Korean government had established an inter ministerial preparatory committee headed by Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik and preparatory office led by Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan to organize and oversee the planning, management and protocol of the Seoul Summit.

The Seoul Nuclear Security Declaration which is going to be held on 26-27 March, is the thread to the 2010 Nuclear Security Summit held in Washington DC initiated by American President Barack Obama as a step to establish a global platform to counter nuclear terrorism threat and to eliminate the nuclear terrorism risk through transfer or theft of nuclear material from the nuclear sites. The next or third round of nuclear security summit is expected to be held in Netherlands in 2014. The Seoul summit is the largest-scale and highest-level meeting that South Korea has ever hosted. The top agendas at the Seoul summit would most likely be Iranian and North Korean nuclear programs and the issue of nuclear material safety evolved from the Japanese nuclear crisis at Fukushima as a result of a drastic earthquake in 2011.

The Washington Nuclear Security Summit succeeded in establishing a consensus that nuclear terrorism is a global threat to all nations and evoked more than fifty commitments or pledges which were non binding, vague and had escape clauses. Obama administration’s four-year objective to secure all vulnerable nuclear material around the globe is unlikely to be accomplished by 2013. Almost 29 Countries including Congo and Nigeria did not submit their reports on the implementation of UN Security Resolution 1540. Tracking the implementation of this resolution. Obama’s objective and other previous commitments would be an important effort at the Seoul Nuclear Security Summit.

The participants of the Seoul summit have identified key areas such as building up of nuclear safety and security culture (Russia), adherence to the nuclear treatise and conventions( Indonesia), minimizing the use of HEU and plutonium and developing HEU management guidelines (France), strengthening the existing security measures (Pakistan) enhancing nuclear material transport security (Japan) , preventing illicit trafficking and smuggling of nuclear material (Jordan), increasing global co-operation in nuclear forensics (Netherlands), protecting nuclear sensitive information sharing (United Kingdom), and countering the radiological terrorism (Germany) which would be in consideration at Seoul. It will also include putting into force the 2005 Amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM), conversion of nuclear reactors from running on HEU to low enriched uranium and strengthening the education and training through the establishment of Centers of Excellence in the participant states.

It is interesting to note that that China, India, Japan, and South Korea have created or are in the process of establishing centers of nuclear security whereas France and Italy have incorporated nuclear security education into their academic curricula. Another important fact is the inclusion of Belarus in Seoul Summit of 2012. Belarus was not invited to the Washington summit, after it refused to give up its stocks of highly enriched uranium. After an agreement by Minsk to give up the remainder by 2012, and removal of a portion of those stocks to secure storage in Russia, the South Korean government has invited Belarus to the Seoul summit.

As far as Pakistan’s stance is considered regarding Seoul Summit, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, Pakistan’s ambassador to United States Sherry Rehman and other officials have reached South Korea to attend this summit. Islamabad has been seeking a civilian nuclear accord similar to the 2008 Indo-US nuclear deal that provided New Delhi with an NSG waiver and access to nuclear fuel and technology despite being a non-signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Pakistan also demands to become a member of the elite NSG. The world nuclear suppliers communities have so far refused due to issue of leaking sensitive technology to other states by alleged AQ Khan network. Prime Minister Gilani in the summit would highlight the national nuclear security culture of Pakistan which explicitly describes its nuclear assets and installations to be safe and secure from the terrorist’s threat.

In short, the Seoul nuclear security summit provides a new and unique opportunity to build stronger 21st-century nuclear material security architecture at global level. It provides a plat forum where representatives from different regions, backgrounds, and issues join hands together to eliminate the world from the threat of nuclear terrorism and radiological nuclear weapons, not once but in a series or rounds of meetings held after every two years. Although the participants have to face several challenges in order to achieve their work plan and objectives yet prospects are not bleak. The lessons learned from the communiqué and work plan of 2010 should be considered and Seoul Summit should have a better and practical outcome to ensure peace and stability through world free of threat of nuclear weapons and nuclear terrorism in the coming years ahead.

AYMEN IJAZ
Researcher at Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI),
Islamabad, Pakistan.

Just when it seemed like the cellphone megapixel war had settled down, Nokia blew the competition away with a 41MP camera in its new Nokia 808.

It’s been a standing feature with the arrival of cameras on cellphones. Recently, the megapixels were standardised at 8MP and 12MP (though some phones boast more) as the focus has shifted to other phone features, and the quality of images has reached a plateau.

Now the Nokia 808 PureView, with its whopping 41MP lens, is the unassailable leader. But it’s not just the megapixels that count. A camera, especially one inside a cellphone, is about more than just the size of its sensor, which is what the megapixels refer to. Nokia has been including Carl Zeiss optics – the rest of the camera’s innards – in its phones.

Because the 808 has such a large megapixel count, it lets you “capture an image, then zoom, reframe, crop and re-size afterwards to expose previously unseen levels of details”.

It has taken a Nokia research team five years to build the camera phone, which means it runs on Symbian, the antiquated operating system that Nokia abandoned a year ago to focus on Windows Phone 7 for its smartphones.

-Jago News-

Maya Khan - Morning Show Host

Maya Khan , a morning show host on Samaa tv channel was recently in strong critics by exploiting dating events in the parks . By broadcasting such shows , she has been badly hurt and banned from Samaa tv . In addition to this , her personal photos shared all over internet by different criticizers.

Sher was invited in Kamran Khan – Front Line program of Express TV to ask for an apology to Pakistani Nation for interfering into the personal lives of the citizens. To analyze everything closely watch the video below :

Two views :

1. Pakistani praises her for unveiling the dating events
2. Pakistani threat her for interfering into the personal lives

What Actual is ?  [ Watch Video ] 

HEC PAKISTAN UNIVERSITIES RANKINGS

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has announced the ranking of Pakistani universities 2011 / 2012 on the basis of quality teaching and research, during a press conference held February 23rd , 2012.

You might not agree with the HEC rankings , however these are based on true assessment. A statement issued by HEC said that the primary purpose of the ranking exercise is to share with the general public a comprehensive data on the key issues that determine the state of higher education in a particular institution.

Institutions established after December 2008 as well as distance education universities are excluded from the ranking lists.

HEC has revised the ranking list for Pakistani universities. Below is the new rankings for Pakistani Universities 2011 – 2012:

Overall Top 10 Universities of Pakistan:

1. Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad
2. Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences
3. Aga Khan University, Karachi
4. University of Agriculture, Faisalabad
5. University of The Punjab, Lahore
6. National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST)
7. Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University
8. University of Health Sciences, Lahore
9. COMSATS Institute of Information Technology (CIIT)
10. Lahore University of Management Sciences, Lahore

CATEGORY WISE RANKINGS

Agriculture/Veterinary

Art & Design

Computer Sciences & IT

Medical

Engineering & Technology

General Universities(*Large )

*student enrollment > 7000

General Universities(*Medium)

*student enrollment >3000 and <7000

General Universities(*Small)

*student enrollment <3000

Film-maker and first-time Oscar nominee Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy won Academy Award on Monday for her documentary “SAVING FACE” about acid attack victims, a first for a Pakistani director. Definitely her victory brings Oscar to Pakistan with many questions ahead.

Speaking exclusively to Reuters via telephone from backstage, Chinoy dedicated this award to the women of Pakistan.

Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy - Pakistan's First Oscar Winner

The women’s “bravery and resilience in the face of adversity inspires me every single day,” she said. “They are the true heroes of Pakistan.”

 

Sexual Harassment by Education Department in Lahore , Pakistan

Education Department clerk ‘GHULAM MUSTAZA’ was flirting with Director Women College “Shagufta Ameen” through mobile sms , calls and even by forced meetings to her college .

Lahore : In the office of  Director Public Instructions (DPI) Colleges Punjab, Education Department clerk tried to sexually harassed Director Women Colleges  Shagufta Ameen . She has been constantly getting threats and abusive telephonic calls. Anarkali police station have submits her First Information Report (FIR) on the request of the victim. After the conviction , clerk released on bail.

This incident creates a very isolated and intense environment for women who are involved in day to day correspondence with the education department.

In URDU Language :

Quran Burning Protest - from Kabul to Whole Afghanistan

Muslim World were not shocked but anger wave just spread from Kabul NATO airbase to the Muslims globally. On the day February 22, 2012 news came of Quran Burning on NATO airbase on the orders of Afghan based US authorities .

A protest has been held by common Afghani’s , to block protest intensity they shelled fire flares from helicopter. However , protest was more stronger than US expectations. Violent protests left at least five dead and others wounded Wednesday as demonstrations over Quran burning intensified in Afghanistan. Police killed four people and wounded 10 others during protests in Parwan province, said Abdul Wassi Sayedkhili, a provincial council official.Health officials said a fifth person died and 10 others wounded in eastern Nangarhar province.President Hamid Karzai was “saddened about the civilian casualties during today’s demonstrations,” his office said. Karzai noted an investigation will begin Thursday over the killings.

OBAMA : Afghan rage over the burning of Qurans by NATO troops continued Thursday even after a President Barack Obama apologized for the “error.”

These are not the justifications of burning of Muslims Sacred book . US intention is reflecting in the form of US military intention in Afghanistan actually.

IMPACT: This would impact badly on US economy & planning of their military in central Asia region. US might get more dents in Afghanistan , would eventually results in a war loss .

These types of events will not isolate Islamic World but USA ( United States of America ).

Radio Tax of Rs. 2 on every Rs. 100 Card recharge

This is Pakistan , this means indirect taxes ahead from every way of life. Media reported that a parliamentary committee on Information and Broadcasting is considering to impose Radio Tax of Rs. 2 per each Rs. 100 card to be deducted on all reloads.

Dr. Awan, said that this tax will be applicable after annual budget 2011-12, Another way to make Nation crazy.

Telecom industry has immediately responded and termed this kind of collection a nonsense. They said that Telecom industry isn’t responsible for an organization which is sinking for its own reasons.

“Telecom operators won’t become collection service for the government, we will severely oppose this”, said an official of a mobile company. He rather proposed government to use utility bills for any kind of charity collection.

If imposed, Telecom industry to going to get a hit on their businesses.

Mobile phone operators are already paying highest taxes in Pakistan, as compared to other sectors. In addition, mobile subscribers are also bearing several kind of service charges.

Dana Rohrabacher - CIA Agent in 1988 (Afghanistan Taliban Wing )

After destroying peace of Iraq, killing thousands of innocent Iraqis , violating human rights in Iraq and Afghanistan and loosing a war from Afghanistan  USA is now focusing on Balochistan to disturb Pakistan . US Congressman Dana Rohrabacher introduced a resolution in the US House of Representatives calling upon Pakistan to recognize the Baloch right to self determination.

According to the text, ‘revolts’ in 1958, 1973 and 2005 “indicate continued popular discontent against Islamabad’s rule, and the plunder of its vast natural wealth while the province remains the poorest in the country.”

It is US policy to “oppose aggression and the violation of human rights inherent in the subjugation of national groups as currently being shown in Iran and Pakistan against the aspirations of the Baloch people,” said the motion.

In a definitive spin to the current tension, the resolution asserts that the people of Balochistan that are “currently divided between Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan, have the right to self-determination and to their own sovereign country,” adding that they should be afforded the opportunity to choose their own status among the community of nations.

 

From these statement USA is targeting Iran and Pakistan to be charged for violating human rights , whereas USA is one of the innocent states who are responsible for peace only … Craps!.  USA interested to built some their support state in this region which could give them base to establish in this region for the control on Iran , Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Another prospect of such pressure is because of visit of Iranian President to Pakistan for multi-trade relation . USA is not watching any violation in Palestine or Kashmir , whereas they are interfering Pakistan’s sensitive matters to segregate the country.

Pakistan is a revolution which is now in the soil  and beyond. We belongs to one Pakistan and have to fight for the unity till the last Pakistani lives on this surface of earth !