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Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Roadside bomb kills three troops in Afghanistan


KABUL: Three soldiers with US-led coalition forces in Afghanistan were killed, and a fourth wounded, when their vehicle hit a roadside bomb in the west of the country, the headquarters of US forces in Afghanistan said.

"Coalition personnel secured the scene, and the incident is under investigation," it said in a press release issued in Kabul and received in Washington, adding that "names and nationalities" were being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

Some 60,000 international soldiers are deployed under NATO and a separate coalition led by the United States in Afghanistan to help defeat an insurgency waged by Taliban and other militants.



news by apakistannews.com

US missile attack kills 8 in Miranshah


MIRANSHAH: Eight people have been killed when US drone struck Miranshah in North Waziristan attack.

According to reports, US drone fired two missiles at a maddarssah in Danday Darpakhel killing eight people. Locals said that commander Sirajuddin Haqqani has been established the maddarssah.

Among the deceased, five belonged to Wazir tribe of Wana whereas three belonged to local Dawar tribe.


news by apakistannews.com

Scores feared dead in U.S. drone strike in North Waziristan


MIRANSHAH: A suspected U.S. drone fired a missile into a Pakistani village in North Waziristan tribal region early on Thursday leaving scores dead, a foreign news agency witness said, the latest in a series of such attacks in recent weeks.

The strike targeted a village near Waziristan's main town of Miranshah where Jalaluddin Haqqani, a veteran Taliban commander and an old friend of Osama bin Laden, had established a madrasa or religious school and where his extended family used to be living. There was no immediate word on casualties.

"A large number of militants are rushing towards the area in vehicles," the witness told media by telephone from Miranshah.

Twenty-three people, mostly relatives of Haqqani, were killed in a similar attack in the same area in September.

The U.S. forces, frustrated over growing cross-border militant attacks from the Pakistani side, have carried out around a dozen missile strikes and a commando raid in Pakistani tribal areas since the start of September.

A large number of militants have been killed in these attacks but no senior al-Qaeda or Taliban commander is reported to have died so far.

One of the sons of Haqqani had told Reuters that the elderly commander was in Afghanistan when the village was hit in September.


news by geo

Musharraf having high time to join politics: Chatta


ISLAMABAD: Leader PML-Q Hamid Nasir Chatta said former President Musharraf has a high time to join politics and he (Chatta) was making efforts to get the parted members back into his party.

He was talking to media after a formal meeting of PML-Q at his residence and added that his party was not considering to change party leadership however he ruled out chances for all party members to be contented with party leadership.

“I have no confirm reports about Musharraf joining politics nevertheless former president has the best chance to join politis.” Chatta maintained




news by geo

Govt to defend country’s frontiers at all costs: Gilani


ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday said the government will safeguard the country’s frontiers at all costs and will never allow any foreign power to mar the territorial sanctity of our borders. The Prime Minister held out this assurance to the parliament while addressing the concluding session of in-camera joint sitting here.

“The elements who want to impose their will through killings and terror will be dealt with iron hand”, Gilani stressed.

Unveiling a three-pronged strategy of the government to fight terrorism and extremism, the Prime Minister said the government will not let the handful of foreign and misled people alongwith their accomplices in Pakistan to drag the entire nation towards a direction where they do not want to proceed.

“The essence of democracy ensures the rule of majority and protection to the rights of minority”, the Prime Minister said and made it clear that any change in our social, cultural, political, economic and religious life could be brought only through constitutional and democratic means and not through force and barbarism by spreading fear.

Pakistan will not allow its soil to be used for attack or planning of aggression against any country, particularly the neighbouring states, he added.

“If we wish that our territorial boundaries are respected then it is imperative upon us to respect the territorial frontiers of others”, the Prime Minister remarked.

Prime Minister Gilani told the parliament that Pakistan is not a Banana Republic; everybody must respect writ of the state and the government will establish this writ.

By the grace of Allah Almighty, the Prime Minister said, the government will defeat all those foreign or domestic elements and forces who want to enforce the social, political and religious system of their choice by dint of scare and force.


news by geo

Brent crude plunges below $65 a barrel


NEW YORK: Brent crude oil plunged five percent, to a 16-month low below 65 dollars a barrel, in early afternoon trade on news of a sharp build in US energy stockpiles.

In London, Brent North Sea crude for December delivery fell to 64.59 dollars, its lowest level since May 9, 2007.


news by ary

US stocks fall further, Dow down 5 pct


NEW YORK: US stocks dived Wednesday on growing global recession fears and skidding oil prices, with the Dow industrials plunging 5.17 percent and the Nasdaq composite off 4.64 percent in a late selloff.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 457.26 points to 8,576.40 around 1920 GMT and the tech-heavy Nasdaq composite slid 81.70 points to 1,314.98.

The broad Standard & Poor's 500 index tumbled 55.06 points (5.77 percent) to 899.99.


news by geo

SECP resolves Rs. 50 bln Support Fund for stock markets

ISLAMABAD: Security and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has held a meeting here concluding the resolve to provide Rs. 50 billion Support Fund for stock exchanges to cope with ongoing financial crisis on Wednesday.

Director KESC Sohail Walia told Geo News that during the meeting, it was resolved to release Rs. 50 billion Support Fund to emancipate state’s stock markets from crisis.

Market Support Fund would be available after October 27 and added that Rs. 20 billion Support Fund would be available straightaway while remaining Rs. 30 billion would be provided to stock markets through “Pit Option”.


news by apakistannews.com

White House announces first world financial crisis summit


WASHINGTON: The White House has announced that a summit on the global financial crisis will be held on November 15 near Washington. It will gather leaders of the G20 countries.

A summit on the global financial crisis will be held on November 15 in Washington and will gather leaders of the G20 countries to draw up an action plan, the White House said on Wednesday.

"The president today is going to invite the leaders of a group of 20 countries ... to a summit in Washington DC," on November 15 "to discuss the financial markets and the global economy," White House spokeswoman Dana Perino told reporters.

"The leaders will review progress being made to address the current financial crisis, advance a common understanding of its causes and in order to avoid a repetition, agree on a common set of principles for reform of the regulatory and institutional regimes for the world's financial sectors," she said.

The heads of state will "charge working groups to develop recommendations to be considered by leaders in a subsequent summit," she said.




news by ary

Obama brushes aside GOP criticism of his tax plans


RICHMOND: Barack Obama brushed aside Republican charges Wednesday that his tax proposals amount to socialism, and said he wants nothing more than to reverse the cuts for wealthy Americans that John McCain opposed when they were enacted.

"Was John McCain a socialist back in 2000," when he opposed President Bush's proposals? Obama asked at a news conference.

"It's not a very plausible argument," he said of the late-campaign allegations launched daily by McCain and Republican running mate Sarah Palin.

Obama made his remarks at a news conference after meeting with national security advisers.

Regardless of the winner of the Nov. 4 election, he said a smooth transition is essential "so that others don't take advantage of us."

He also sidestepped a question of whether he would attend a summit of world leaders the Bush administration has called for Nov. 15 to discuss the global economic crisis.

"We have one president at a time," he said.

The Democratic presidential candidate was asked about a comment by his own running mate, Sen. Joseph Biden, that Obama could expect to be tested early in his term.

He said the Delaware senator has occasionally engaged in "rhetorical flourishes," but the essential point was that the new president could expect to be challenged no matter who wins.

He said President Bush has pursued "bluster and unilateralism and ideology" over the past eight years, "but we're about creating partnerships around the world to solve problems."

McCain-Palin campaign spokesman Tucker Bounds responded, "Its not leadership for Barack Obama to promise to be straight with Americans, only to dismiss serious statements and concern from his own running mate as simple rhetorical flourishes. Joe Biden guaranteed a generated international crisis if Barack Obama is elected, and a smile-for-the-cameras press conference isnt going to mitigate the risk of an Obama presidency."

Obama denied the meeting had been called because of political damage stemming from Biden's remarks. He said the foreign policy and national security experts attending have busy schedules so arrangements for the meeting began two weeks ago to assess major foreign developments during the campaign.



news by geo

Naghmi considers filing defamation suit against Chairman PCB


LAHORE: The Chief Operating Officer of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Shafqat Naghmi has been accused of misusing his powers and stealing sensitive documents he said that he was contemplating to file a defamation suit against the new Chairman PCB Ejaz Butt in a couple of days.

Butt, in his first press conference as PCB Chairman on Monday, accused Naghmi of trying to steal sensitive documents along with other mismanagements but Naghmi denied all charges.

Former chairman PCB Dr. Nasim Ashraf appointed Naghmi COO of the board in 2006 but he confirmed asking the federal government to end his deputation and give him a fresh posting.




news by apakistannews.com

Olympian Shahbaz excuses to coach national hockey team


RAWALPINDI: Former Olympian and former coach of national hockey team Shahbaz Ahmed senior said that he was not able to coach national team due to some domestic reasons amid news that he might be asked to coach national hockey team.

Talking to Geo News correspondent Abid Malik here he said that he was not mentally prepared to provide his services as a coach of national hockey team which made him excuse for the aforesaid job.

He thanked the President of PHF Qasim Zia for offering coaching of hockey team however he added, he is ready to propose his advices for the betterment of national hockey as well as he maintained to play his continuous role as a member of Executive Board.


news by geo tv

Akshay Kumar is growing his beard. You know why.

He is a Sardar in Singh is Kingg.

Kareena Kapoor says she is not ready for marriage.

She is not going to tie the knot the next five years at least.

Shahid Kapoor watch out.

Shah Rukh Khan is without a film. He is waiting for the next Karan Johar film My Name Is Khan.


news by she.com.pk

Katrina: I don't have a master plan


In a chat with TOI, Katrina Kaif gets candid on various things under the sun.

You are all over - what's the secret?
I have no idea, but it is very kind of you to say so. I have worked hard and been consistent. I think a large part of it has got to do with destiny.

It is said that you are an easy person to work with.
Hmmm... Most people I have worked with have been very happy with me. Frankly, there is no explanation as to why the audience likes you in spite of your flaws and imperfections.

So, you admit that you have flaws and imperfections?
Everyone has...I too have some. I don't think I have reached a saturation point. In fact, I have a lot of work to do. It's an amazing feeling that people want to see me on screen and I am elated about it. I want my fans to like me a lot more.

You have always played the quintessential girlfriend.
This is just one aspect of my acting and I have a long way to go. I still haven't done a truly intense romantic film. I want to do a dark film, play a mentally imbalanced girl. It's not my style to go public about the films I have refused. On hindsight, I may have refused a great role, but I have always gone by my instinct. If I feel that it may not work for me, I don't do it. I have made a conscious effort to be accepted by the family audience. So far, it's worked well for me. Slowly, but surely, you will see a different Katrina.

We have heard that you have signed a two-film deal with a production house for Rs 7.5 crore. Is that your market worth?
These things can be sensationalised. It is not something that I would like to talk about. I am not here to run after money. If a producer wants me in his film and if I too like the role, I will get my market price. One gets what one deserves. Filmmakers know how much every actor charges and how much he/she deserves.

Do you think corporate culture is going to last in Bollywood?
Every company that brings with it money, will not necessarily run the course. But, producers, who make films with a very strong storyline and have excellent relations with artistes, will definitely last.

With success comes superstition. Do you run to a church just before your film hits the theatres?
No, I don't. Instead, I pray and ask for a wish from wherever I am. I believe that you don't need to go to a church to connect with God. You can even walk down the street and connect with Him.

You are being spoken of in the same breath as Kareena Kapoor...
It has been a flight of fantasy for me so far. Whatever I have got is more than what I had asked for. Kareena was already a big star when I made my debut. Moreover, she has essayed a lot of challenging roles. Kareena is far ahead of me in terms of roles and performance.

Has your pairing with Akshay Kumar contributed to your success?
100 per cent!



news by indiatimes

Shahid’s surprise for Shabina!


Shahid Kapoor surprised his favourite designer and friend Shabina Khan on her birthday recently by throwing a party a day in advance.
Shahid knew that he would not be able to wish her personally on that day as he was shooting, so he organised a surprise party for her in advance.

Shahid invited the entire cast and crew of Kismat Konnection for the bash. Shabina says, “Shahid danced for four hours non-stop. This was the most unforgettable birthday ever.”



news by indiatimes

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Kyrgyz protest against US air base

BISHKEK: Some 100 activists from two Kyrgyz political groups rallied in capital Bishkek, calling for withdrawal of the US air base from Kyrgyzstan.

Protesters from the nationalist Zhoomart group and the Sergiy Radonezhsky Fund cheered as Zhoomart's leader Nurlan Motuyev publicly burned a US flag and an effigy of US President George W. Bush.

"Americans are the first to begin wars everywhere, they kill peaceful Muslims, spill fuel on our soil and make farmers suffer from poor crops. Away with the air base!" Motuyev called.

Local protests against US military presence are often staged both in Bishkek and next to the air base.

The air base, which shares premises with the country's main airport at Manas, outside the capital, is crucial to Washington's operations in Afghanistan.

About 1,000 US troops are stationed at Manas.



news by ary news

'I don't have a master plan'


In a chat with NT, Katrina Kaif gets candid on various things under the sun.

You are all over - what's the secret?
I have no idea, but it is very kind of you to say so. I have worked hard and been consistent. I think a large part of it has got to do with destiny.

It is said that you are an easy person to work with.
Hmmm... Most people I have worked with have been very happy with me. Frankly, there is no explanation as to why the audience likes you in spite of your flaws and imperfections.

So, you admit that you have flaws and imperfections?
Everyone has...I too have some. I don't think I have reached a saturation point. In fact, I have a lot of work to do. It's an amazing feeling that people want to see me on screen and I am elated about it. I want my fans to like me a lot more.

You have always played the quintessential girlfriend.
This is just one aspect of my acting and I have a long way to go. I still haven't done a truly intense romantic film. I want to do a dark film, play a mentally imbalanced girl. It's not my style to go public about the films I have refused. On hindsight, I may have refused a great role, but I have always gone by my instinct. If I feel that it may not work for me, I don't do it. I have made a conscious effort to be accepted by the family audience. So far, it's worked well for me. Slowly, but surely, you will see a different Katrina.

We have heard that you have signed a two-film deal with a production house for Rs 7.5 crore. Is that your market worth?
These things can be sensationalised. It is not something that I would like to talk about. I am not here to run after money. If a producer wants me in his film and if I too like the role, I will get my market price. One gets what one deserves. Filmmakers know how much every actor charges and how much he/she deserves.

Do you think corporate culture is going to last in Bollywood?
Every company that brings with it money, will not necessarily run the course. But, producers, who make films with a very strong storyline and have excellent relations with artistes, will definitely last.

With success comes superstition. Do you run to a church just before your film hits the theatres?
No, I don't. Instead, I pray and ask for a wish from wherever I am. I believe that you don't need to go to a church to connect with God. You can even walk down the street and connect with Him.

You are being spoken of in the same breath as Kareena Kapoor...
It has been a flight of fantasy for me so far. Whatever I have got is more than what I had asked for. Kareena was already a big star when I made my debut. Moreover, she has essayed a lot of challenging roles. Kareena is far ahead of me in terms of roles and performance.

Has your pairing with Akshay Kumar contributed to your success?
100 per cent!




news by she.com.pk

"There is someone special in my life"


Amrita Arora is a happy girl these days.
Any why not? She’s got impressive films in her kitty, her personal life seems to be rocking and her recent film Hello, has won her rave reviews. For an actor that’s quite enough really. She thinks her “role was one that everyone could identify with. It has surprised a lot of people.

Earlier, people thought that I couldn’t play a simple, middle class girl. The best thing is that Arhaan, my nephew, loved it and ordered a cake for the same.”

Even the future seems promising. Her forthcoming releases include Rohit Shetty’s Golmaal Returns, the much talked about Kambakth Ishq, which, apart from Akshay Kumar and Kareena Kapoor, also boasts of Hollywood biggies Sylvester Stallone and Brandon Routh. “Golmaal Returns is going to be a laugh-riot like its prequel and people will just love it. I am paired opposite Arshad Warsi. As for Kambakth Ishq, it’s too early to give away much. I play Aftab’s love interest and all I can say is that it is definitely going to be one of the biggest films in the history of Indian cinema,” she elaborates.

For someone who won the VJ hunt contest for a popular music channel when she was just 17, “big screen happened purely by chance. My friends used to tell me I would make a good VJ and I participated just for fun. Once I won, offers started pouring in. But now, I take my career very seriously.” Constant comparisions with sister Malaika Arora don’t bother her at all. “I think she is one of the most beautiful and successful women in the world and I am blessed to have her as my sister,” is her take. She might have done a few bold films like Girlfriend and Rakht in the past, but she says “those were decisions that I made back then. I have moved ahead in life. I have tried different roles and I am happy to be where I am today.”

No problems about multi-starrers either. “As long as it offers me scope to perform, why not? And don’t such films have a better chance at the box-office?” she asks. In an industry where catfights are frequent, she shares a great rapport with Kareena Kapoor. “It’s very wrong to say that two actresses can’t get along well. It’s all about how secure a person you are and who you want to be. Me and Bebo are very close and she is a wonderful person,” she tells us.

A lot of actresses are sporting bikinis these days but Amrita was featured long back in a bikini on the cover of a magazine. “To carry off a bikini, you need to be comfortable with your body and also not feel that you are doing anything wrong. I don’t like all these pre-conceived notions about women,” she says.

And what kind of a person is Amrita? “I am a very normal girl. Besides, I like to live life on my own terms,” she avers. Is she bitter after her split with boyfriend Usman Afzaal? “I am not bitter at all. I am someone who embraces life to the fullest. Besides, there is someone special right now in my life and he cares for me,” she says on a parting note.



news by india times

Mexican boxer dies after knockout


MEXICO CITY: Mexican featherweight boxer Daniel Aguillon has died after a five-day coma induced by a knockout blow, his family said Tuesday.

Fellow Mexican Alejandro Sanabria knocked the 24-year-old to the mat last Wednesday, 40 seconds from the end of a Central American featherweight title fight.

Doctors operated on Sanabria to treat a blood clot in his brain but the boxer failed to regain consciousness and died, Aguillon's family said.

Aguillon won 16 fights in his career, including nine by knockout, four draws and two losses.

He was the first boxer to die in a fight in the Mexican capital since 1953, according to the city's boxing commission.



news by apakistannews.com

Monday, October 20, 2008

Nawaz Sharif Confers With Shahbaz Sharif On His Meeting With Boucher


RAIWIND: Nawaz Sharif, prior to his leaving for Islamabad for a meting with the US Assistant Secretary of State, Richard Boucher today, conferred with the Punjab Chief Minister, Mian Shahbaz Sharif here.

Media Advisor, Pervaiz Rashid told that the Islamabad meeting with the US Assistant Secretary of State, Richard Boucher is being held on Boucher’s request. Punjab CM, Shabaz Sharif and opposition leader in the national assembly, Chaudhry Nisar Ali will also participate in the meeting.




news by apakistannews.com

Supreme Court Main Gate Locked, Aitzaz Ahsan , Kurd Stopped Entry


ISLAMABAD: President Supreme Court Bar Barrister Aitizaz Ahsan and another leader of the lawyers’ movement Ali Ahmed Kurd were disallowed entry in the Supreme Court premises on Monday.

Aitizaz Ahsan had announced a photo session with the deposed chief justice Iftikhar Chaudhry at the Supreme Court today, but they were stopped when these lawyers’ leaders were on their way to the apex court. A heavy contingent of police was deployed around the premises of the Supreme Court.

The media men were also denied to move near the court building as the lawyers were trying to take the deposed chief justice in procession to the Supreme Court building.

It is pertinent mention that the deposed chief justice can be allowed a photo session in the apex court building after permission from the prime minister.



news by apakistannews.com

Justice Iftikhar’s caravan stopped on Shahrah-e-DastoorISLAMABAD: Deposed CJ Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry’s caravan has been stopped on Shahrah-e-Dasto

ISLAMABAD: Deposed CJ Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry’s caravan has been stopped on Shahrah-e-Dastoor, as short while ago justice Iftikhar accompanied by other lawyers’ leaders had left his residence for Supreme Court Bar.

District Administration said that Shahrah-e-Dastoor was the red zone, therefore, other than justice Iftikhar’ car would not be allowed to pas through from here. Heavy contingents of police and Rangers were also presents over there.

It may be recalled that the Islamabad administration had sealed all the roads leading to the Judges’ colony and media and lawyers’ leaders entry into the colony was stopped by setting up police posts over there. However, some lawyers’ leaders and the Geo team breaking all barriers succeeded in reaching the residence of the deposed CJ. Earlier, SC administration had also locked up the SC main gate and barred the entry of SC Bar Association’s President, Aitzaz and member executive committee, Ali Ahmad Kurd. Lawyers’ leaders and the management had exchanged hot words on this occasion. Later Anti-terrorist Squad along with the police and Rangers was also deployed outside SC building. On the other hand, SC Bar president, Aitzaz told that as the members of the SC Bar executive committee were not being allowed to come, therefore, the venue of the meeting has been changed and now this meeting would be held at his residence.


news by apakistannews.com

In-camera parliamentary session to resume today


ISLAMABAD :The in-camera session of both houses of Parliament will resume at the Parliament House here on Monday at 2pm.

Speaker National Assembly Dr Fehmida Mirza will preside over the joint session to be held after a break of two days.

During the last three sessions, attendance of the ruling party’s lawmakers remained relatively low, while party leadership had been instructed to ensure the presence of all members in the session.

Sources told that Federal Minister Khursheed Shah has contacted party’s members and advised them to attend the session.

It is expected that parliamentarians will continue the debate on government’s briefing about overall security situation in tribal areas.



new by apakistannews.com

World oil prices higher amid talks of Opec production cuts


SINGAPORE :World oil prices rose in Asian trade on Monday amid growing signs that Opec will announce production cuts at a special meeting in Vienna this week, dealers said.

New York's main contract, light sweet crude for November delivery was 1.12 dollars higher at 72.97 dollars a barrel from its close of 71.85 dollars Friday in the United States.

Brent North Sea crude for December delivery gained 95 cents to 70.55 dollars a barrel.

Crude prices have halved in value from record highs of above 147 dollars struck in July, prompting calls from key Opec members that the oil cartel should cut its output targets to shore up prices.

President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela was the latest to lend his support for an output cut by the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec), whose 12-member countries together pump about 40 percent of the world's oil.

"Our position for the past 10-plus years has been that we have to manage oil production," Chavez told AFP Sunday, ahead of the October 24 meeting.

"Now that the prices are coming down, we are going to take (to Opec) the proposal of cutting production," Chavez said during a visit to an oil pipeline project in Cumana in northeast Venezuela.

The cartel's special ministerial meeting in Vienna on the impact of the financial crisis on oil prices has been brought forward to October 24 instead of November 18.

"Pressure is building up within Opec to make output cuts when they meet this week," said Victor Shum, a Singapore-based analyst with international energy consultancy Purvin and Gertz.

"So the market right now has priced in some cuts," he said.

OPEC, led by the world's biggest oil exporter Saudi Arabia, has not officially indicated whether production levels would be altered at the meeting but its current chief Chakib Khelil said the cartel should order a "substantial" cut in oil output.

"There will be a reduction in production at the next extraordinary meeting of Opec, and it will have to be a substantial one to get the balance right between supply and demand," Khelil told reporters Saturday.

"If it has to be 1.5 million barrels per day, or two million barrels per day, that's what it will be," Khelil added, during a visit to the southern Algerian province of Tamanrasset.

Khelil, who is also Algeria's Energy Minister, said Opec wanted to see oil prices "remain stable" throughout the first half of 2009.

"We want a stable price per barrel -- neither too high, nor too low, between 70 and 90 dollars," Khelil said.

Iran -- Opec's second largest exporter -- also called Saturday for a significant cut amid prospects of reduced demand in the face of the global economic slowdown, the state broadcaster reported.

Opec's official production quota stands at 28.8 million barrels per day.




news by aaj tv

Japan Stock markets open well, buoyed by earnings reports


markets opened up Monday, largely over reports that company earnings may not be as bad as expected.

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average rose 72.64 points, or 0.8 per cent, to 8,766.46 at 9:36 am local time. The broader Topix index climbed 8.62, or 1 per cent, to 902.91.

Sony Corp advanced 2.3 per cent, while Panasonic Corp climed 6.6 per cent. Japan’s biggest steelmakers - Nippon Steel Corp and JFE Holdings - were expected to boost annual earnings targets.

In currency markets, the dollar was quoted at 101.50-55 yen, up from Friday’s quote of 101.03-06 yen.

The euro remained almost unchanged and was quoted at 1.3442-47 dollars, as compared to Friday’s 1.3444-47 dollars.

On Friday, Tokyo stocks climbed after an overnight surge on Wall Street to end trading up almost 3 per cent as investors bought back shares battered by the previous day’s losses. The Nikkei jumped 235.37 points, or 2.78 per cent, to close at 8,693.82. (dpa)




news by apakistannews.com

SBP Intervention Helps Rupee Rally



KARACHI :The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) intervention helped the rupee recover to trade at 81.00 to the dollar on Monday, compared with Saturday's closing at 82.80/83.00, dealers said.

The rupee was quoted closing at 81.00/25 to the dollar, recovering 2.2 percent since Saturday's close.

Dealers said trade was thin amid uncertainty about the economic situation in regards to International Monetary Fund (IMF) assistance and foreign inflows.

"Everyone will remain cautious until there is some clarity on the economic front," said a currency dealer.

The State Bank's foreign currency reserves represent about six weeks cover for import payments.

There is growing speculation that Pakistan will turn to the IMF for support, possibly as early as this week, to weather the balance of payments crisis.

The government said earlier it would not seek an IMF package but Shaukat Tarin, the government's top economic adviser, said on the weekend Pakistan might need to borrow from the IMF if other multi-lateral lenders and friendly governments failed to help in the next few weeks.

According to the CNBC news channel, the government will ask for $10 billion from the IMF.

Officials from the Finance Ministry and the IMF are due to meet on Tuesday in Dubai to discuss Article IV consultation.

Article IV consultation is a regular, usually annual, comprehensive discussion between IMF staff and representatives of individual member countries concerning the member's economic and financial policies, according to the IMF's Web site.

RUPEE UNDER PRESSURE

The rupee sank to a record low of 84.40 to the dollar on Friday, at which point it stood 27 percent weaker than at the start of the year. As of Monday, the rupee has lost 24 percent this year.

Dealers said the rupee was under constant pressure because of import payments and a lack of inflows.

Analysts estimate Pakistan is in urgent need of at least $3 billion to $4 billion to help stabilise its economy.

Tarin said on the weekend he would make sure Pakistan does not default.

"Now, there is no danger," he told journalists after a news conference in Islamabad, but he warned that lenders were running out of time to come to Pakistan's rescue.

"We think we will be in a very good shape .... within the next 30 to 60 days," Tarin said of the prospects of sewing up funds to cover a balance of payments financing gap that the IMF estimates at up to $4.5 billion, and Pakistan reckons at $3.0 billion for the fiscal year ending on June 30 next year.

Dealers said the rupee could come under more pressure when a protective floor placed on the Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) index was removed on Oct. 27, because of possible foreign selling and portfolio outflows. The floor was imposed in August.

The index has fallen almost 35 percent this year and ended flat on Monday at 9,184.75 points on very thin trade of 26,720 shares.



news by aaj tv

Nepal Govt Expanding Cabinet


Kathmandu: The CPN (Maoist) and the CPN (UML) have reached an understanding for expanding the current cabinet by Friday and forming a political committee that advises government on political issues.

During a meeting between the leaders of two parties at the Prime Minister Prachanda’s residence in Baluwatar toady it was also decided to make additional efforts to bring Nepali Congress into the government that will help ease the constitution making process

The two parties have agreed that the political committee consisting representatives from all parties in the government will be led by former UML General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal.

Minimising the tussle between the youth groups – the Young Communist League and the Youth Force – was also a major agenda of discussion.

The meeting also discussed filling vacant positions in the constitutional bodies and formation of committees as mentioned in the Interim Constitution among others.

Prachanda is likely to meet top leaders of Nepali Congress later today. He has already said that he would hold talks with Nepali Congress president Girija Prasad Koirala to bring the party in coalition government, Nepalnews reported. (ANI)




news by apakistannews.com

Israel considering Middle East peace plan

JERUSALEM: Israeli leaders are seriously considering a dormant Saudi plan offering a comprehensive peace between Israel and the Arab world in exchange for lands captured during the 1967 war, Defense Minister Ehud Barak said Sunday.

Barak said it may be time to pursue an overall peace deal for the region since individual negotiations with Syria and the Palestinians have made little progress. Barak said he has discussed the Saudi plan with Prime Minister-designate Tzipi Livni, who is in the process of forming a new Israeli government, and that Israel is considering a response.

Saudi Arabia first proposed the peace initiative in 2002,offering pan-Arab recognition of Israel in exchange for Israel's withdrawal from Arab lands captured in 1967 the West Bank, Gaza Strip, east Jerusalem and the Golan Heights. The 22-member Arab League endorsed the plan last year.

The Israeli government has in the past described the plan as a good basis for discussion, but expressed some reservations. “There is definitely room to introduce a comprehensive Israeli plan to counter the Saudi plan that would be the basis for a discussion on overall regional peace,'' Barak told Israel's Radio.

He noted the “deep, joint interest'' with moderate Arab leaders in containing Iran's nuclear ambitions and limiting the influence of the radical Islamic Hezbollah movement in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza.



news by geo

ISAF Claims 20 Extremists Killed In 2-Day Fighting


KABUL: The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) have eliminated over 20 insurgents during a two-day operation in central eastern Afghan province of Wardak, said the alliance statement released here on Monday.
While in another incident two armed persons riding a motorcycle shot dead a foreigner lady. Allied forces spokesperson here told that the clash with the extremists took place at 40 miles east of Kabul in the province Wardak, while the two-day fighting with the help of Allied forces air strikes left 20 extremists dead.
On the other hand, Afghan interior ministry told that motorcycle riders shot dead a foreigner lady on way to her job. Presently, no information could be received about the citizenship of the lady. It is said that the deceased was an employee in an NGO.


news by geo

Aishwarya Rai So Proud To Have A Hubby Like Abhishek


For Aishwarya Rai time management is not just an art, it’s a necessity. She arrived recently after the world tour, then left for Peru via Dubai to shoot for Shankar’s Robot.

“I’m looking working with Rajnikant Sir in Robot. He and my father-in-law are institutions. Luckily I’ve worked with both. And Peru is a place I’ve never shot in. Wish I had more time to enjoy the new happenings in my life, ” sighed Aishwarya.

“But the sad part is I hardly got enough time to do the things that are really important to me, like spend with my parents, specially my father who’s been very unwell. I barely came back from the Unforgettable concerts when I had to leave. That’s the hard part of being who I am. The show always has to go on.”

Aishwarya is deeply moved by the support and love offered to her and her family during this trying time of her father’s illness. “I’ve always had very positive vibes coming from my audience and friends. But the calls messages and prayers for my father’s health are something I’ll never forget, ” Aishwarya says emotionally.

Regretfully she had to leave Mumbai again right sfter her dad’s latest chemotherapy. “I’d have liked to be with my parents more. But what to do? ”

More on Mani’s movie? “We start shooting his film in October. All I’ll say at this point about Mani’s film is, it’s like nothing Abhishek or I have ever done. Guru was a different world.”

About the just concluded world concerts Aishwarya brightens up discernibly. “What can I say? Personally and professionally it was greatly fulfilling. I’ve been on several concerts. This one was special for very obvious reasons. My parents-in-law and my husband were with me.”

How different was it performing with them as compared with her earlier concerts when she performed alone? “Ah, that’s a trick question. I’ll tell you this much.

Each concert got better and better. Every city surprised us. It was the first world tour for Abhishek, so extra-special. He kept reminding me of how I kept urging him to do world tour even from before we came close.

I had completely forgotten that I had once sent a concert organizer to him for a proposed world tour. Abhishek was a rock star at these concerts. I felt very proud of him.”




news by apakistannews.com

Angelina Jolie Reveals Her Love Story


Angelina Jolie has revealed that she and partner Brad Pitt fell in love while the Hollywood actor was still married to Jennifer AnistonIn an interview with New York Times , the Tomb Raider star admitted that they fell in love started during the shoot of 2004 film Mr and Mrs Smith . The couple have always claimed their romance started after Pitt parted ways with the Friends star. On being asked if she was excited about her children being able to one-day see their mother and father in Mr And Mrs Smith , she said "Not a lot of people get to see a movie where their parents fell in love." Angelina was branded as the man-eater for breaking up Pitt’s marriage to Jennifer Aniston. She has taken all of 2008 off from filmmaking and has only one movie lined up — the spy thriller “Edwin A. Salt,” which will begin production in February and which, in an indication of her box office clout in action films, was reconceived for her after Tom Cruise dropped out.

NEWS BY INDIA TIMES

Lara’s Wild Streak


Recently, while in Bangk-ok, Lara Dutta got herself a red rose tattoo.


Talking about it, she said,

“The moment I saw it,

I wanted to get it done.

It’s a stunning tattoo on the inside of my right ankle and it is perhaps the wildest thing I have done,”

she quips.



NEWS BY INDAI TIMES

India declare with 515 lead in Mohali Test

MOHALI: India declared at 314 runs for loss of three wickets in their second innings with 515 runs total lead in the second Test against Australia here on Monday. Gautam Gambhir's second Test century, his first at home, and Virender Sehwag's 90 took India's lead past 400 in the first session of day four in Mohali, before Mahendra Singh Dhoni inflicted further pain on Australia. Dhoni followed up his first-innings 92 with a brisk unbeaten 68 and when India's lead touched 515, he promptly declared. Australia's bowlers struggled for the third session running and were frustrated by partnerships of 182, 42 and 66 on another day of Indian dominance.India had scored 469 runs in their first innings and got the visitors out on 230 runs to gain 269 runs lead in the first innings.



news by ary news

Ibrahimovic Scores Twice As Inter Milan Beat Roma


MILAN: Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Ronaldinho each scored twice in Serie A wins for Inter Milan and AC Milan. Inter beat AS Roma 4-0 to move two points clear atop the Serie A standings, and Milan defeated 10-man Sampdoria 3-0. Inter improved to 16 points, two ahead of Udinese, Catania and Napoli. Milan is in a four-way tie with 13 points, and Roma has seven. With Christian Panucci and Philippe Mexes both suspended, Roma's makeshift central defensive pair of Simone Loria and Juan struggled to contain Ibrahimovic, who scored at the beginning of each half. Dejan Stankovic and surprise starter Victor Obinna added goals for Inter in the 54th and 56th minutes at the Stadio Olimpico. Milan had a man advantage from the 55th minute after Sampdoria defender Stefano Lucchini received a second yellow card for a handball inside the area. Ronaldinho converted the penalty and added another goal in the 66th on a give-and-go with Brazil teammate Kaka. Sampdoria came close to scoring in the 21st minute as Gennaro Delvecchio sent a bicycle kick just wide. With the entry of Kaka at the start of the second half, Milan became more aggressive and began to take control of the game even before Sampdoria were reduced to 10 men. Kaka had been rested for the first half after recently arriving from Brazil, where he had been on international duty. Filippo Inzaghi scored his first goal of the season in the 90th to make it 3-0. Bologna, which had lost five straight after winning its first game of the season, stunned Lazio 3-1 with two goals from Marco Di Vaio. Bologna had scored only three goals in its first six games, but collected three in 26 minutes against Lazio, the co-league leaders coming into the weekend games.



news by ary

India Declares, Sets 516 Run Victory Target


MOHALI: India set Australia an imposing victory target of 516 in the second cricket test Monday after rushing to 314 for 3 wickets declared in its second innings.Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni smashed 68 from 84 balls to add to his 92 in the first innings before deciding to end Australia’s punishment an over after drinks in the middle of the second session. Dhoni, who promoted himself to No.3, collected three fours and a fierce six off Cameron White. Opener Gautam Gambhir produced his second century during the start of India's brutal demolition. Left-hander Gambhir combined with Virender Sehwag in a stunning 182-run partnership for the first wicket that deflated the already struggling tourists. Sehwag provided most of the power, but Gambhir stayed longer than his partner as India prepared to set Australia a massive victory target. After losing Sehwag, Gambhir moved to his century with a boundary through mid-wicket off White shortly before lunch. He had struck seven fours during his 136-ball stay, but left two deliveries later when he chipped to mid-off while on 104.Gambhir's half-century came in the fourth over of the day, and in the next over he hit leg spinner White for a straight six that lost the ball. Fifteen runs were struck off White's six balls and he also experienced harsh treatment from Sehwag. Sehwag smashed 90 from 122 deliveries before his aggressive knock ended when Peter Siddle had him caught behind by Brad Haddin. Gambhir and Sehwag scored at will and had 60 runs from the first ten overs of the morning against a wilting attack.Australia started with bowlers Shane Watson and White before Mitchell Johnson was introduced. Spearhead Brett Lee, who suffered a right hand injury in the first innings, did not bowl until after lunch. Lee removed Sourav Ganguly (27) when he skied to Michael Clarke at point. Sachin Tendulkar scored 10 before the declaration, leaving Australia to face 46 overs before the end of the day.India added 100 without loss in 23 overs on the third evening to gain a 301-run advantage. Australia was dismissed for 268 in its first innings with Watson top-scoring with 78 after rookie leg spinner Amit Mishra became the sixth Indian bowler to claim five wickets in an innings in his first game.

news by geo

Sunday, October 19, 2008

3 die In Dera Bugti Bomb Blast


DERA BUGTI: Three people were killed while five others injured, two of them seriously, when a remote control bomb was exploded in Dera Bugti town on Sunday, Dera Bugti police said.

Some unknown miscreants had planted the bomb on a roadside for targeting Yousuf Bugti, son of MNA Ahmadan Bugti escaped unhurt, police said.

Two people were killed at the spot while another succumbed to his injuries on way to hospital. The five injured were rushed to Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) hospital at Sui town where doctors said that the conditions of two injured were serious.

The names of the victims and the injured could not be ascertained immediately. Dera Bugti police had registered a case against unknown miscreants and started investigation.




news by apaksitannews.com

4 die, Several Hurt In New Delhi flyover Collapse


NEW DELHI: At least four persons were killed and several wounded Sunday morning as an under construction flyover crumbled in New Delhi. According to eyewitness accounts several portions of the under construction Metro Flyover collapsed in the Indian capital causing death of at least four persons and wounding several others. More than 10 vehicles have been trapped under the rubble of the flyover, television reports said.



news by apakistannews.com

Tribesmen’s Firing At US Drones In North Waziristan


MIRANSHAH: Furious tribesmen fired at American spy planes flying over various areas of North Waziristan .

According to sources, the US spy planes flew over the areas of Miranshah, Dattakhel, Ghulam Khan, Razmak, Shival and other border areas in North Waziristan.

In some areas, furious tribesmen fired at drones with automatic weapons after which the planes flew back.



news by apakistannes.com

No Intention To Partake In Politics: Pervez Musharraf Said


KARACHI: Former President Pervez Musharraf said, “I have no intention to take part in politics and I long to stay out of it after my resignation and all news in this connections are fake and baseless”.

Talking to his friends here, he said Saturday that I pray for the best of Pakistan and its people and I will not make my personal residence in Islamabad, a political office however he insisted to lead his life, after his stepping down from presidency, being a retired army chief.

He admitted that he kept on meeting with his old close friends including political figures who, he termed, could not remain closed to him during his presidency.

Former president is worried about his security these-days nevertheless he scarcely raise this issue.


news by apakistannes.com

Divisional Meetings Of PML (N) Punjab From November


LAHORE: The Pakistan Muslim League (N) Punjab will hold the party’s divisional meetings from the fist week of November and Mian Nawaz Sharif will preside over the meetings.

According to sources, the meetings will be attended by district officials, members of the provincial and central working body from respective divisions.

The objective of holding the meetings is to listening to the workers’ complaints, to strengthen the coordination of the party organization and leadership with the workers.

The first meeting will be held for Bahawalpur division.

According to sources, it has been decided in principle to give employments of grade one to five with the consultation of the party workers and it would be announced by the chief of the PML (N), Mian Nawaz Sharif.



news by apakistannews.com

Minister For Averting Unscheduled Loadshedding

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Water and Power Raja Pervaiz Ashraf Saturday directed the Pakistan Electric Power Company (PEPCO) to do away with unscheduled loadshedding in the country.

Presiding over a high level meeting with PEPCO and WAPDA officials to review the current power situation and load management in the country, he directed that in no case the DISCOs, whose Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) have been designated as the concerned responsible officers, will conduct load management in cities for more than 9 hours and for a maximum of 11 hours in the rural areas.

This decision has been taken due to decrease in water releases from Tarbela and Mangla on account of lower provincial indents to conserve water for sowing wheat crop and curtailment of gas for power plants w.e.f October 13 on account of closure of Qadirpur and Sehwan Gas fields.

He directed that textile industry, fed through independent power feeders, will necessarily be provided continuous supply of power for two shifts.

It was also directed that power looms, depending upon their location will be provided continuous supply for a minimum of 8 hours.

The continuous process industry, again fed through independent feeders, will be provided continuous supply for 24 hours provided these units assist the DISCOs through 50 percent reduction in load
during peak hours.

The meeting also decided that Steel Furnace Industry would be provided continuous supply for 12 hours each day (midnight to noon).

It is pertinent to mention here that the given programme was approved by Federal Minister up to the end of the current month, with the hope that the situation will ease up within a fortnight.

The meeting was informed that present power shortages would be reduced from November onwards. With reduced power deficits, it was hoped that the duration of load management would also be reduced.

The Federal Minister categorically said that the CEOs of DISCOs would be available at all times for the media and other stakeholders to explain the day to day position and various steps being taken to
improve the situation.

It was informed that a large number of new power plants were in various stages of completion, as a result of which loadshedding would be brought to an end by the end of 2009.

It was also explained that this time period was needed because of the fact that no generation could be added in the power sector during last decade.

The Federal Minister requested the public to help end this crisis through conversation of energy.

He appealed to the media to help the Ministry of Water and Power and PEPCO in discharge of their duties and inform the public about the actual reasons of the crises and the various steps being undertaken to counter the same on a fast track.

Secretary, Additional Secretary, Advisor of Ministry of Water and Power, MD PEPCO, CEOs, DISCOs and other senior officials of the Ministry also attended the meeting.


news by ary

CJP Urges Judges Of Lower Courts For Speedy Justice


ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan Abdul Hameed Dogar here Saturday urged the judges of lower courts to ensure speedy provision of justice as they were the initial custodians of the rights of people.

He was addressing at a certificate awarding ceremony to the twenty senior most district and sessions judges at the end of one-week re-orientation course arranged by Federal Judicial Academy (FJA).

Chief Justice of Pakistan said that district judiciary was the backbone of the judicial system as the bulk of litigation ended there.

He was of the view that by doing justice with tinges of personal dedication and integrity, they would be doing justice with themselves without pinches of conscience.

"The judges are already under oath to do justice without fear or favour,ill-will or affection," he emphasised.

He said there was heavy pendency of cases at every tier of the judicial hierarchy, the judicial officers should find out ways and means to meet this every rising challenge.

Referring to the improvement in service conditions in the matter of upgradation of posts and grant of various allowances of judges, he said a special judicial allowance equivalent to three times of initial pay of the scale of the judicial officers had been sanctioned in Punjab province.

"Other provincial governments will be asked to make provision of the similar allowances by making special allocations of funds for the purpose," he added.

Chief Justice also noted with concern that despite his instructions to the judicial officers to write research papers, least attention was being paid.

He stressed upon the participants to enhance vision and perspective over the legal matters and the judicial officers should adopt a habit of writing research papers.

He also praised the role of Federal Judicial Academy for arranging training and re-orientation courses for the judicial officers.

Director General of the FJA Moazzam Hayat presented an overview of the re-orientation course.

He said FJA would continue to serve the judicial officers across the country by enhancing their understanding of the legal matters.

Saghir Ahmed Qadri, District and Session Judge Multan expressed his views on behalf of participants.

Justice Mian Shakirullah Jan and Justice Chaudhry Ejaz Yousuf, judges of the Supreme Court of Pakistan were also present during the ceremony.

Twenty district and sessions judges including seven from Punjab, five from Sindh two among them females, three from NWFP, two from Balochistan, two from AJK and one from Northern Areas received certificates in the ceremony at the concluding session of one-week re-orientation course.





news by ary

Seven-phased held Kashmir polls announced

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission has announced the poll dates for Assembly election in Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Indian Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswamy said, "The Commission has decided that elections will be held in seven phases in J&K and first phase will begin on November 17."

"The second phase of elections will be held on November 23, the third phase on November 30 and the fourth phase will be held on December 7," he said.

He said that the fifth, sixth and seventh phases will be held on December 13, 17 and 24.

The election commissioner said, the polling will be held in 87 Assembly seats. The counting of votes will be held on December 28.

He also said that appropriate security arrangements have been made and forces will man all the important places.

There were rifts within the EC about holding elections in the state.

The Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalswamy was not in favour as he felt the conditions were not favourable right now due to reasons like low voter turnout, state officials refusing poll duty and parties not cooperating.

But the other election commissioners like Navin Chawla were in favour of elections in the state.

The last time the elections took place in J&K was in 2002 when the Congress-PDP coalition came to power by defeating the National Conference.

The 2002 elections were held in four phases in more than 14,000 polling stations.



news by ary news

Indian And U.S Navies To Engage In War Games


GOA: Indian and the US navies are all set to engage each other in war games in the Arabian Sea off the western coast of India.

The exercises, which will be undertaken under the recurrent Malabar series of exercises that commenced in 1992, will be taking place from October 20 in India's western coastal Goa state.

The set of exercises will include diverse activities ranging from gun-firing and fighter combat operations from aircraft carriers, to combating the scourge of terror, through Maritime Interdiction Operations exercises.

The exercise is primarily aimed at deriving mutual benefit from the experiences of the two participating professional navies.

"These exercises are based to increase intel-operability that means being able to operate together and using same sort, or using procedure that we can understand because otherwise all navies have slightly different procedures from others. And unless we exercise, at sea everything is high precision and you can't make mistakes, so exercise to ensure that we know each other's procedures and when we do have to operate together we can do it efficiently," said Anil Chopra, Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet, Indian Navy.

The Indian navy will be represented by, INS Mumbai, an indigenous Delhi Class guided missile destroyer, INS Rana, a Rajput Class guided missile destroyer and four guided missile frigates, namely, INS Talwar, Godavari, Brahmaputra and Betwa.

In addition, INS Aditya which is an underway replenishment tanker and one Shishumar class submarine, Sea Harrier fighters, fixed and rotary wing aircraft are also scheduled to participate in the joint exercise.

Ronald Reagan Strike Group (RRSG) of the USN 7th Fleet which is based at Yokosuka, Japan will represent the US navy.

The RRSG will include USS Ronald Reagan, a nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS Chancellorsville, USS Gridley, USS Decatur, USS Thach and USS Bridge, an underway replenishment tanker. In addition, one submarine, USS Springfield and one P3C Orion aircraft will also participate in the exercise.

The regular India-US navy interaction over the years has resulted in an increase in the complexity and professional content of the bilateral exercise.

The thrust of the exercise this year would be on Surface/Air Operations, Advanced Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Surface Firings, VBSS (Visit Board Search and Seizure) and Submarine Operations.

These exercises will enable enhancing maritime cooperation.

"We also hope to advance to more complex operations and teach our cadets to go beyond technical exercises which we have continued to do with Malabar. Ninety percent of the world's trade passes on the world's oceans. The maritime cooperation of our two navies is vital component to reach stability
and prosperity for India, US and other nations," said john p. Nolan, USN, Commanding Officer, Chancellorsville, a Nuclear Powered Aircraft Carrier.

Indian warships were involved in exercises with the USS Ronald Reagan in waters off the Sri Lankan coast last year. This exercise had five countries taking part - India, US, Australia, Japan and Singapore.


news by ary news

Bush To Host Financial Crisis Summit

CAMP DAVID: US President George W Bush said on Saturday he would soon host a summit of world leaders to look at strategies to combat the global financial crisis.

"It is essential that we work together because we are in this crisis together," Bush said before a meeting at the Camp David presidential retreat with French President Nicolas Sarkozy and European Union President Jose Manuel Barroso.

"I look forward to hosting this meeting in the near future," he said, adding that he had discussed plans for the summit with Prime Minister Taro Aso of Japan, the current chair of the Group of Eight industrialized nations.

Bush stressed that the summit, called in the wake of the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression, should not seek to undercut the basic economic principles of international capitalism.

"We must resist the dangerous temptation of economic isolationism (and) continue the policies of open markets that have lifted standards of living and helped millions of people escape poverty around the world," Bush said.

Sarkozy has called for an overhaul of the current international financial architecture established just after World War II at the 1944 Bretton Woods conference, and said on Saturday the summit could possibly be held before the end of November in New York.

The French leader, whose country now holds of the rotating presidency of the European Union, said the meeting would be a "great opportunity" to reassess how the world runs its financial affairs.

"Those who have led us to where we are today should not be allowed to do so once again," he said.

"This sort of capitalism is a betrayal of the sort of capitalism we believe in. And that is the reason why ... we have come to make Europe's voice heard."

Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice accompanied Bush to Camp David. The White House said no new policy announcements were expected.

Bush had earlier sought to reassure Americans the U.S. government, which plans to inject $250 billion in capital into U.S. banks, had no intention of becoming a permanent shareholder in these institutions.

A credit crisis that swept around the globe has pummeled markets, leaving the United States and its European allies searching for ways to cushion the shock to financial systems.



news by apaknews.blogspot.com

Bush, Sarkozy To Meet


NEW YORK: President George W. Bush holds talks on Saturday with European leaders hoping to pave the way for an overhaul of the global financial regulatory system, amid growing evidence the world is sliding toward recession.

The White House has played down expectations for the meeting at the Camp David presidential retreat between French President Nicolas Sarkozy, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, and Bush.

Economic gloom was foreshadowed by U.S. consumer confidence and new-home construction plummeting in recent weeks, with U.S. stock indexes ending down on Friday despite better than expected earnings in the technology sector.

Interbank lending rates fell this week for the first time since July, providing some hope that the worst of the global banking crisis may have passed, but stock markets around the world remained volatile, weighed down by recession fears.

European shares ended higher and oil rose $2 a barrel, but a rise in the U.S. dollar was a sign of investors seeking safety.

Among benchmark U.S. stock indexes the Dow Jones Industrial Average ended down 127 points or 1.41 percent after trading in a 560 point range. The S&P500 index ended down 0.62 percent.

Adding to the gloom about the U.S. economy, a senior Federal Reserve policy maker said the jump in the jobless rate suggested the economy would probably slip into recession.

Intervention by governments in the United States and Europe in the past week needed time to work, Bush said on Friday.

"Our European partners are taking bold steps. They show the world that we're determined to overcome this challenge together. And they have the full support of the United States," Bush said in a speech at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Bush, who leaves office in January after a November 4 election, said he would continue "close consultations" with European leaders at the meeting on Saturday afternoon.

But he did not specifically mention calls by European leaders to reform the financial system that the world has been operating under since 1944, and White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said the U.S. focus was on the immediate crisis.

"I think the most important thing we can do is make sure that we stop the bleeding here before we move on to the next project," she told reporters.

Barroso and Sarkozy met Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Friday and agreed on the need for an international summit before the end of the year. Sarkozy said it should include China, India and other non-G8 countries.
\




news by ary news

PZ Isn’t Friends With Shiney


Though Preity Zinta is known for getting along with most of her co-stars, her hero in Har Pal, Shiney Ahuja, isn’t exactly ‘hero-material’ according to her, if rumours are to be believed.


When we got in touch with PZ and asked her about her spat with Shiney, she explained, “Shiney and I are not the best of friends! He’s not exactly a Shah Rukh, Salman, Hrithik or Abhishek for me.



I’ve worked in so many films with these guys, and we share such camaraderie that it’s not unusual that I drop into their homes, chat up with their wives... Well, I don’t share that relationship with Shiney. That’s all there is to it, really! He certainly won’t be seen at a party thrown by me!” So, one thing’s clear, for sure – Shiney is out of Preity’s guest list, and is no pal of the Har Pal actress!




news by indai times

Meow, it's Bebo The Catwoman!


Kareena Kapoor’s giving the Pussycat Dolls some catty competition with her item number Meow in Rohit Shetty’s Golmaal Returns.

For this, the actress got into a catsuit inspired by Beyonce because Kareena is a die-hard fan of the American singer.

“I love Beyonce and the way she is. I have tried a different hairstyle and make-up, too,” revealed the sexy Kareena. “It’s a funky track and the video looks very glamourous.” But choreographer Bosco feels Kareena purrs better than Beyonce. “Bebo looks hotter than Beyonce,” said Bosco about the song that’s been specially included in the film.

There are others who can’t stop raving about the actress’ look in this number. Like boyfriend Saif Ali Khan. The Chhote Nawab landed on the sets unannounced to see Kareena perform the song. “He liked it so much that he wished he was part of the number too,” said a friend of the actress.

Kareena plays Ajay Devgan’s loudmouth wife in the film and to get into the skin of the character, she reportedly took inspiration from Ekta Kapoor’s saas-bahu shows on television.



news by indai times

Ayesha Takia’s Love ‘Digest’


Actor Ayesha Takia is a sweet girlfriend. Whenever she travels abroad she is constantly comparing the eating joints and foods to restaurateur boy

friend Farhan Azmi’s restaurants back home.

If I like a particular dish, I definitely make it a point to tell him. But on the whole, I think his eating places make some yum food. When I was in Canada, a friend took us to have the ‘best steaks’ available there.


But the one being served back home, at Farhan’s was much better,” says Ayesha. Well, such is the connection between the heart and the tummy. Everything else is just indigestibl








news by india times

It’s Not About Exertion, Says Big B



The sight of you being rushed to the hospital on a stretcher scared everyone. It brought back bad memories of the last time when you were unwell.
What reaction can I give to being on a stretcher?

What exactly happened to you?
Intestinal obstruction; a legacy of my accident on the sets of Coolie and its aftermath.

Friday was Karva Chauth, a day that your family always celebrates in a big way. Is that why you decided to go back home on this day?
I do not choose when I get discharged from a hospital, or indeed when I should get into one. My doctors do that. The doctors felt I was well enough to go home and so I did.

How has the industry reacted to your illness? Everybody has been very concerned.
I am grateful to all those who came to visit me at the hospital. There were many who sent goodwill messages. I may not have been able to respond to all personally, but may I use your medium to acknowledge and thank them. I am moved by their concern for me and of all others who I may not have been able to meet- friends, well wishers, and fans.

Uddhav Thackeray visited you this time. Did that surprise you?
Yes, he did and no, it did not surprise me. He is a dear family friend. My sincerest thanks also to Pratibha Patilji for having sent her good wishes. It was also extremely generous of the Prime Minister, Manmohan Singhji to have personally called Jaya and expressed concern.

There have been all kinds of rumours about your health and when you will resume work.
I have been asked to take rest. I shall resume work as soon as the doctors give me a go ahead.

Aishwarya’s father Krishna Raj Rai is also unwell and was hospitalised. Have you spoken to him?
Krishna Raj Rai has been undergoing treatment for cancer. His course of treatment takes place in a hospital where he has to go for a day. He is responding well.

People say you are overworked and you hardly have any rest.
No, that is incorrect. I work according to my capability and capacity. My present illness has got nothing to do with exertion and overwork as has been made out by the media. I could have been in this situation even if I was sitting at home doing nothing.

What advice have your children Abhishek and Shweta given to you regarding your health?
The same I would give them. Take care.




NEWS BY INDIA TIMES

Hamilton Near To Be Youngest Champion


SHANGHAI: McLaren's Lewis Hamilton could become Formula One's youngest world champion, and Britain's first since Damon Hill in 1996, at the Chinese Grand Prix on Sunday.

The 23-year-old, who starts from pole position, will take the crown in just his second season in the sport if he scores six more points than Ferrari's Felipe Massa, who will be third on the grid for the penultimate race of the year.



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BMW-Sauber's Robert Kubica is also in the running but, trailing Hamilton by 12 points, his already slim hopes looked even less likely after he qualified 11th.

Massa, 27, is also chasing his first world title and will be aiming to close the gap on Hamilton before the season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix at his home track, Interlagos.

Hamilton has come under heavy fire from some of his rivals after his clumsy attempt to retake the lead from Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen following a poor start at last weekend's Japanese Grand Prix.

The Finnish world champion will be alongside Hamilton in the front row again on Sunday.




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Bangladesh 49-4 As New Zealand Hit Back


CHITTAGONG: New Zealand struck back in the first test by reducing Bangladesh to 49-4 in their second innings at lunch on the third day on Sunday. Spinner Jeetan Patel took two for 12 and captain Daniel Vettori one for seven, while paceman Kyle Mills was one for 12 as Bangladesh began their second innings with a 74-run lead from the first innings. Opener Tamim Iqbal was not out on 30 while Mushfiqur Rahim was yet to open his account when the lunch break was taken. Opener Zunaed Siddique (6) was first to go when was caught at second slip by Aaron Redmond off Mills on the first ball of the seventh over of the innings. Rajin Saleh (6) was trapped lbw by Patel, while captain Mohammad Ashraful was caught at cover by Redmond off Vettori for duck. Mehrab Hossain (6) was caught at mid-on while playing a shot off a ball from Patel. Earlier Left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan grabbed seven wickets as Bangladesh bundled out the Kiwis for 171. Shakib completed the best bowling figures by a Bangladeshi in a test innings to help give the hosts a 74-run lead in the morning session on the third day. The Kiwis, replying to Bangladesh's 245, added 16 runs for one wicket from 26 balls after resuming on 155 for nine. Shakib bowled Iain O'Brien (15) in his second over of the day to finish with career-best figures of seven for 36 from 25.5 overs, his first five-wicket haul in tests. Abdur Razzak, Naeem Islam and Ashraful took one wicket apiece. Vettori top-scored with an unbeaten 55, his 17th test half-century.




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