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Saturday, November 8, 2008

Barrage of Rocket Attack On Israel


Gaza City: A barrage of rockets hit Israeli towns early Saturday as Palestinian militants again breached an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

On Saturday morning, the Islamic Jihad faction said it fired 10 homemade rockets into Israeli cities near the Gaza Strip.

The al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of the less-influential Islamic Jihad, said six of the rockets were fired at Sderot city, north-east of the Gaza Strip, and four missiles were aimed at the coastal city of Ashkelon.

Israeli planes responded by bombing four abandoned rocket launchers in the northern Gaza Strip, the Islamic Jihad said. No injuries were reported.

The Hamas movement violated the deal earlier this week after Israeli airstrikes killed six of its militants in Gaza.

Meanwhile, Palestinian gunmen engaged an Israeli special forces unit in the northern Gaza Strip.

The National Resistance Committees, the armed wing of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, claimed responsibility for the clashes which caused no injuries on both sides. (dpa)



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Sri Lankan Gunship Helicopters Attack On LTTE Gathering

Sri Lankan gunship helicopters, in a night raid, bombed a Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) “gathering point” in Palaitivu islet on the country’s western coast as government troops continued their multi-pronged advance towards the Tamil Tiger strongholds, defence officials said here Saturday.

According to air force spokesman Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara, Russian-built MI-24 gunship helicopters were deployed at around 9.45 p.m. Friday to carry out “intense air assaults on an LTTE gathering point in the Palaitivu islet, 12 nautical miles southwest off Pooneryn”.

Pooneryn is known to be one of the major LTTE naval points on the western coastal belt. From here the rebels have used their long-range artillery and mortar guns to fire at military targets in the past.

“We suspect that the LTTE was probably planning to launch an attack on naval installations in the coastal area and reinforcing their cadres to this point,” Nanayakkara told IANS.

“After the raid, the pilots saw that some of the targets in the islet were ablaze, and we believe that the enemy have suffered heavy damages,” he said.

The air assault was undertaken based on intelligence provided by the navy, he added.

There was no immediate reaction from the LTTE in this regard.

Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan defence ministry in a report Saturday claimed that the troops advancing in the north “have liberated vast tracts along the western coast from the LTTE and are now within striking distance of Pooneryn, Sempankundu and Nallur LTTE fortifications.”

“Troops are forcing the LTTE to flee in total disarray as the military surge continues with strong determination to liberate the strategically important 90 km coastal stretch,” the defence ministry said.

A pro-Tamil Tiger website puthinam.com Friday claimed that the “artillery shelling on uncleared areas in the northwestern part of the Wanni, like Pooneryn, have resulted in 12,000 civilians being moved to safer places deep inside LTTE-held territory”.



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Sara Palin Terms Criticisms Against Her Mean-Spirited


Speaking to reporters from several news organizations, including the Anchorage Daily News, the Sarah Palin defended herself from a slew of criticisms that have been aimed at her from unnamed McCain aides.

The Alaska governor, having resumed work at her office in Anchorage on Friday, called her critics “jerks”, and said it was “immature” and “cowardly” for McCain staffers to be making sly allegations about her.

Palin said she never asked for the expensive wardrobe bought for her use on the presidential campaign. It was the Republican National Committee that paid for the tens of thousands of dollars in designer clothes and accessories.

In her characteristic manner, Palin responded to a recent Fox News report that quoted McCain campaign aides saying she did not know Africa was a continent, and could not name the three countries in the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Pailn said: “If there are allegations based on questions or comments I made in debate prep about Nafta — about the continent versus the country when we talk about Africa there — then those were taken out of context. And that’s cruel, it’s mean-spirited, it’s immature, it’s unprofessional and those guys are jerks if they came away with it taking things out of context, and then tried to spread something on A pakistan news.”



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Hema Malini, under the knife?


Dream Girl, Hema Malini is glowing at 60. It was only last month when she celebrated her birthday and was overwhelmed by the compliments which Hema Malini followed about her youthful appeal.

She confesses, “Yes. I went in for some experimentation. Stylist Asha Hariharan told me how the ‘combed back’ look is so passe. Try something new. I gave in. And she changed my hair do and also my overall look. The result I must say was impressive. People told me at 60, I looked much prettier now.”

As charming as she could be. Hema continued in the same vein citing reasons about her chiselled looks. “I am a dancer at heart. I lead a very disciplined life. There are no late nights, no smoking and no boozing. There’s an occasional wine but that's only on special occasions. It’s definitely not a habit. I have always followed my passion to dance religiously. And that keeps me agile and youthful at heart.”

To age gracefully is an art and spirituality helps. Hema says, “Spirituality is a great bent of mind. It gives peace and hope to me. With age, the beauty of wrinkles is also required. Some people go in for surgery, but in my case it wasn't needed. This is my natural look. I never needed to go under the knife.” Echoing her view, stylist Asha Hariharan says, “There are some fine lines on her face which have obviously come with age. But I must say that she is glowing better with age. I have recommended aqua makeup to Hema. It gives an enhancing natural touch. Even in her forthcoming movie Ek Thi Rani Aisi Bhi where she plays Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia, she will sport some ‘structural makeup’ which gives her a majestic and regal shade.”

Concluding, Hema claims, “The true secret to my beauty is holding onto an artistic pursuit. In my case it has been Bharatnatyam. And today’s technology is great. Pictures can also be made to highlight the assets and hide the fine lines,” she giggled child-like.



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Shilpa injured, but not out of action


Shilpa Shetty’s got a wrist in plaster. She was rendered hors de combat while practising cartwheels for the new action film she is planning toShilpa Shetty produce that has been written by Mushtaq Sheikh.

Either that, or I’ve torn a ligament because of the wear and tear of weight training,” rued the actress with the hour-glass figure. She’s been told to take it easy at least for three months. “So I can’t shoot for the film,” added Shilpa, regretting that her ambitious multi-starrer has to be on hold. But, undaunted, Shilpa has picked up all the scripts at hand and is reading them so that she can start working.

“It will have to be a script which is not complicated, less painful and not a multi-starrer,” admitted the actress.
As a first time producer, she realises a multi-starrer might not be the best way to go. “I wouldn’t get dates from the actors. It’s quite a difficult task. I kept other projects on hold because of my film. I realised that I had turned more of a producer and less of an actress. So now I’m going to turn that around and complete the films I’ve signed,” said Shilpa.

Looking at the bright side, she agreed that it was good thing that her mega budget film was hold during this period of recession. “Due to the global meltdown, the financiers want to cut down on costs which is not possible,” said the actress.

So, what does Shilpa Shetty intend to do now? “I’ll wear a long-sleeved dress to camouflage the plaster on my wrist while doing Big Boss for Colours. And a fat kada when shooting for Sunny Deol’s The Man,” said the actress, making light of her problems.


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Thursday, November 6, 2008

Bomb Attack On Tribal jirga 45 Hurt, 3 killed


BAJAUR: A remote-controlled bomb ripped through a tribal jirga of Salarzai tribe here on Thursday, killing at least three persons and injuring 45 others, according to Geo News.

Eyewitnesses said the remote-controlled attack was carried out during a jirga, in which three people were killed and 45 others sustained injuries. The injured were rushed to nearby hospital while emergency was declared.


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2 Blast Rocked in Baghdad


BAGHDAD: Police say four people were killed and seven others wounded
when two roadside bombs exploded during the morning rush hour near a
checkpoint in central Baghdad.

A security official says
Thursday’s attack in the capital’s Sunni enclave of Sheik Omar occurred
at a checkpoint manned by members of Awakening Council.

Awakening Council is the term for mostly Sunni groups that have joined forces with the Americans against al-Qaida in Iraq.


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Air Strike In Afghanistan


HERAT: US led troops have killed at least seven civilians in an air strike in northwestern Afghanistan, officials said on Thursday, a day after the president said warplanes had killed 40 civilians in the south. President Hamid Karzai said the issue of civilian casualties was the biggest source of tension with his main backers, the United States, and called on President-elect Barack Obama to make it his top priority to stop the killings of innocents. The air strike was called in after a joint convoy of Afghan and U.S. forces came under an attack by Taliban insurgents in Ghormach district of Badghis province in the northwest late on Wednesday, provincial officials said. District chief Abdullah said seven civilians and 15 insurgents were killed in the raid, but the head of the provincial council Qari Dawlat, quoting villagers, put civilian deaths at around 30. A spokesman for the U.S. military said he was not aware of the report and would check the incident. It was not possible to independently verify the claims due to the remoteness of and poor security in the area. The Ghormach district, an ethnic Pashtun pocket in the mainly Tajik and Uzbek north, has seen a steady rise in violence in the last two years, holding up work on completion of a road linking the west to the capital, Kabul, and hampering aid deliveries. Hundreds of Afghans have been killed in U.S. air strikes this year, leading to seething resentment against the presence of foreign troops and a rift between Karzai and his Western backers. Some 4,000 people, more than a third of them civilians, have been killed this year in fighting with the Taliban, who have expanded the scope and scale of their insurgency to try to oust Karzai’s Western-backed government and eject foreign forces. NATO and U.S.-led coalition troops in Afghanistan say they do their utmost to avoid civilian casualties, but mistakes do happen. Hundreds of civilians are killed in Taliban attacks, especially by suicide and roadside bombs. In a latest suicide attack near a government office, five people, three of them civilians, were wounded on Thursday in Maidan Wardak province, an official said.


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Security Forces Jet Targeted Militants Hide Out


KHAR: Security forces jet bombarded militants hide out in district Mamoond of Bajur agency, in the attack casualties were feared in the attack.

According to initial reports on Thursday morning in recent action against militants in district Mamoond of Bajur Agency security forces jet destroyed hide outs of miscreants, in the attack casualties were feared, sources added.

Meanwhile political administration of Bajur Agency after an operation in the area has arrested some 40 reprobates.



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Barack Obama in US Presidential Election As a Great Victory Against Racism


KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Chief Altaf Hussain on Wednesday termed the victory of Barack Obama in US Presidential election as a great victory against racism.

In a statement issued by MQM here, the party chief has congratulated the Americans, newly elected President Barack Obama, his whole team and the Democratic Party for the election of the Obama in the Presidential run.

He said that the American people with the election of a President, Barack Obama have proved that, they are proud to be American and the Obama’s election is a great victory against racism.



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PM Gilani To Personally Compensate Quake Victims


ISLAMABAD: To share the grief of the victims of earthquake in Balochistan, the Prime Minister has announced Rs 300,000 for dead and Rs 100,000 for injured.

This amount is in addition to Rs 200,000 for dead and Rs 50,000 for injured announced by the President.

The Prime Minister has directed that the survey of the demolished houses should be expedited. The Prime Minister has also agreed to personally give the compensation. Balochistan government has assured that survey and assessment would take about 10 days.

The Prime Minister has been vigorously following up the aid and assistance efforts to the affectees of Ziarat and Pishin earthquake even while he was in Turkey.

He gave blanket permission to provide all possible assistance.

The Prime Minister on Wednesday also directed the Deputy Chairman, ERRA and his team to visit the earthquake affected areas of Ziarat and Pishin immediately.

The team will undertake damage assessment jointly with the provincial government and the Army and propose an action plan for rehabilitation of the affectees.

It will also give proposals for seismic and earthquake resistant housing for these areas, as this area is in the earthquake zone.

The Prime Minister has directed that the construction of houses should be similar to those in the earthquake areas of Muzaffarabad, Balakot, Bagh, Rawalakot, etc.

The Prime Minister also assured that funds would be provided for construction of the houses.

Under Prime Minister’s directions, the following assistance has been provided: 130,000 blankets/quilts, 12,000 tents, 13,000 warm jackets, 12,000 plastic mats, 2193 sleeping bags and 10,000 family ration packs.

Besides this 29 medical teams, 5 static clinics and 02 territory hospitals are engaged in relief operations.

Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), provincial governments and federal ministries have also provided 840 tents, medicines worth Rs 4 million, 1290 blankets and quilts, 728 food packs, 37,992 atta bags, 850 rice bags, 709 sugar bags, 546 ghee and 413 tea packets.

The Prime Minister has appreciated the efforts of the provincial governments, Cabinet Division, NDMA in ensuring immediate assistance to the earthquake affected areas.

Relief assistance from China, Japan, USA, Saudi Arabia and Iran has also been received besides significant help from ICRC, WHO, Pakistan Red Crescent Society and Saudi Public Assistance.

The World Food Programme has started supplying two months ration for 20,000 people from November 03.

Other local organizations like PIA, KPT, etc. have also provided relief assistance in cash and kind.



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Wednesday, November 5, 2008

There Is Absolutely No Diva In Me, Sarah Palin


Washington: Alaska Governor Sarah Palin has dismissed reports that she is a ‘diva’, insisting that she never made unreasonable demands on the McCain campaign during her time as a vice presidential nominee.

Speaking to TV reporters in Phoenix, Palin said that rumours of tension between her and Republican nominee John McCain and members of his staff were ‘absolutely false.’

“Certainly there is absolutely no diva in me. In fact we laugh about that criticism. If only people could come on out and travel, travel with us and see this diva lifestyle that I supposedly live or would demand, because it’s just false,” The Washington Times quoted Palin, as saying.

“But again, not going to participate in any of the negativity. Some people may choose to go there, but it would be based on false allegations if that was a criticism, that ever there were demands on my part or my family, or my supporters’ parts, that were unreasonable or that would hurt the campaign,” she added.

In the days before the election, senior McCain campaign officials were quoted anonymously saying she was a ‘diva’ who was ‘going rogue’ in a bid to promote herself at the campaign’s interests.

One campaign official was even quoted calling her a ‘wack job.’



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Army officer Arrested Over Malegaon Bomb Blast


Nasik (Maharashtra): An army officer has been arrested in connection with Malegaon and Modasa bomb blasts in September that killed five people.

Officers from the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) in Mumbai questioned Lieutenant-Colonel Srikant Prasad Purohit, for days before finally arresting him on Wednesday.

A local court in Maharashtra’s Nasik remanded Purohit to police custody till November 15 and also approved the conducting of narco analysis test on him.

The officer is accused of helping militants with bomb making and other logistic support in the attack in the Muslim-dominated towns of Malegaon and Modasa in Maharashtra.

Minister of State for Home Affairs (Interior) Sri Prakash Jaiswal said the development was disturbing.

“It is unfortunate that involvement of military officials is being found in the investigations. But at the same time it is noteworthy that if any high official or politician is found involved they are not spared,” Jaiswal told reporters in Uttar Pradesh’s Moradabad.

A retired soldier was also questioned in the case.

The ATS began interrogating Lt. Colonel Purohit after his name cropped up in investigations following the arrest of two retired army officers for their role in the Malegaon blasts.

Purohit is suspected to have helped bomb blast accused sadhvi Pragya Thakur, retired Army Major Ramesh Upadhyaya and his associate Sameer Kulkarni in procuring RDX used in the blasts.

Six other people have already been arrested in connection with the blasts.

Ajay Eknath Rahirkar, Jagdish Chintamani Mhatre and Rakesh Dattaram Dhawade were arrested by the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) on Sunday.

Earlier, Pragya Singh Thakur (a god woman), former Army official Ramesh Upadhyay and Sameer Kulkarni were arrested in connection with the blast.

A Nashik court on Monday sent Sadhvi Pragya Thakur to judicial custody till Novenber17, while the custody of other two accused – Ramesh Upadhyay and Sameer Kulkarni- will end on November 10.



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PCB Bans M Yousuf For Joining Rebel ICL


Lahore: The PCB is learnt to have banned its star batsman Mohammad Yousuf after he announced joining the Indian Cricket League (ICL), considered as “rebel” to BCCI-promoted Indian Premier League (IPL).

Yousuf (34) had left for India on Monday without informing the PCB about his decision to join the ICL. His name was included in the 15-member squad for a three-match ODI series against the West Indies starting next week in Abu Dhabi, but was dropped when it was revealed that he had joined the ICL.

“Yousuf will remain banned from playing any type of cricket in Pakistan as he has joined the ICL,” the Daily Times quoted PCB Director (Cricket Operations) Zakir Khan as telling reporters at the Gaddafi Stadium here last evening.

The ICL has also confirmed that Yousuf has joined the ICL and will make his debut for the Lahore Badshahs on November 7.

Zakir said: “Our policy is clear. Yousuf can’t play for or in Pakistan, just like the other players who joined the ICL. His central contract has been terminated. No exception will be made for Yousuf in the board’s policy on the ICL, which will remain the same until it is changed by the ICC.”

Yousuf, Pakistan’s premier batsman, has played 79 Tests, scoring 6,770 runs at an average of 55.49, with 23 centuries.

Meanwhile, The News quoted Yousuf as saying that he was still keen to play for Pakistan despite signing up with ICL.

“I had a misunderstanding with the ICL. Now that has been sorted out and I will play for them. But I still want to play for my country. This matter is in the hands of the (Pakistan) board, if I get a call-up, I will definitely represent the country,” Yousuf said at a press conference.

The PCB has a strict policy of banning all players who have joined the unofficial ICL, which is backed by India’s.

Around 15 Pakistani players, including former captain Inzamam-ul Haq, had joined the league last year and were barred from playing international and national cricket by the PCB.



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Ivanovic falls again; Williams sisters win


DOHA: Vera Zvonareva remained unbeaten at the Sony Ericsson Championships on Wednesday, handing an ailing Ana Ivanovic her second defeat, 6-3, 6-7 (5), 6-4.

Zvonareva won on her third match point when Ivanovic, who took a medical time-out in the first set, hit a forehand into the net.

The French Open champion, who beat Zvonareva in the Linz final last month, said she had a sore throat and hadn't eaten much in the past couple of days because of a virus.

"It was very hard for me to breathe," Ivanovic said. "I was struggling."

The ninth-ranked Zvonareva improved to 3-4 against Ivanovic.

Meanwhile, Venus and Serena Williams won contrasting round-robin matches and next face a familiar opponent: Each other.

Venus endured a struggle against Elena Dementieva 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 to win her second match, and Serena romped past Dinara Safina 6-4, 6-1 in her first at the season-ending WTA Tour championships.

On Thursday, they meet for the 18th time in their professional careers, with Serena holding a 9-8 edge.

"Tomorrow I'll definitely be going for the win, and just taking everything that I can," said seventh-seeded Venus, who would qualify for the semifinals with a win.

"It's going to be good and exciting," third-seeded Serena said. "I think she's pretty much already in the semis. And I've got to get there or I want to get there. So I know it's not going to be easy."

Serena barely got the better of her older sister in their last contest, the U.S. Open quarterfinals, and went on to win the title, her ninth major. She lost to Venus in the Wimbledon final, and the pair teamed up for Olympic gold in the doubles at Beijing.

Venus rallied from 2-0 down in the last set against Dementieva. She had 10 double-faults to five for the Russian but converted eight of 10 break points. The two engaged in powerful baseline rallies.

"It was just really competitive out there," the older Williams said.

The points were much shorter between Serena Williams and second-seeded Safina, whose second loss eliminated her from semifinals contention.

The top eight players are divided into two groups, with the top two in each group advancing.



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Maradona arrives in Madrid

MADRID: New Argentina coach Diego Maradona and general manager Carlos Bilardo arrived in Madrid on Wednesday to watch Real Madrid in a Champions League match.

Maradona, officially named coach of the national side on Tuesday by Argentinian football federation president Julio Grondona, was interested, no doubt, in checking out Argentinian duo Fernando Gago and Gabriel Heinze in Madrid's home match against Juventus.

"Very good," were the only words Maradona said at Barajas airport when asked about how his time had been since being named coach.

Maradona and Bilardo were also expected to meet up with Atletico Madrid's Argentinian players Sergio Aguero and Maxi Rodriguez.

Argentina will be playing Scotland in a friendly on November 19, then against France on February 11 before their next World Cup qualifier at home to Venezuela on March 28.

Argentina are third in the 10-team qualifying group and are on course to qualify yet they only have one victory from their last seven matches -- when they beat Uruguay 2-1 on October 11.

Several days after the Uruguay victory, Argentina lost to Chile for the first time in 35 years..



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India Steady At Start Against Australia


NAG PUR: The new opening pair of M Vijay and Virender Sehwag gave a steady start to India against Australia in the fourth and final Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series at Vidarbha Cricket Association stadium in Nagpur on Thursday. After 10 overs, India were 50/0.

India won the toss and elected to bat as 24-year-old Tamil Nadu opener M Vijay made his Test debut, in place of Gautam Gambhir, to give company to Virender Sehwag. V.V.S. Laxman got in his 100th Test cap.

India, 1-0 up in the series made another change with off spinner Harbhajan Singh, who missed the Delhi Test because of a toe injury, made a comeback in place of retired Anil Kumble.

In a highly controversial decision, the ICC Appeals Commissioner Justice Albie Sachs had upheld a one-Test ban on Gambhir without even hearing him which the BCCI refused to accept, saying it violated principles of natural justice.

Gambhir has been the nightmare for the Australian bowlers in the series so far having scored 463 runs, inclusive of a double hundred and a century, for an average in excess of 77.

Australia made one change in the eleven by strengthening the spin department, capping off spinner Jason Krejza who came in at the expense of steady pacer Stuart Clark.

Teams:

India: Murali Vijay, Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman, MS Dhoni, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Amit Mishra, Ishant Sharma

Australia: Simon Katich, Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting, Mike Hussey, Michael Clarke, Shane Watson, Brad Haddin, Cameron White, Brett Lee, Mitchell Johnson, Jason Krejza




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Afghanistan Air Strike 33 Killed


KABUL: Afghan local officials have confirmed the fatalities of at least 33 civilians in the incident happened in Kandahar Province when a wedding party was bombed by US planes late on Tuesday evening.

Ten women and 23 children were among the dead, said a local Afghan official, adding the casualties might further be increased.

American officials in Afghanistan have also confirmed that a number of civilians have been killed in the air strike.

An American military spokesman said he was certain there were civilian casualties and expressed sorrow for what had happened. Official also hinted at carrying out a probe into what went wrong, reported A Pakistannews.com

This is the latest incident to involve civilian casualties and underlines the challenge ahead for new US President-elect Barack Obama.



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Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Aishwarya Rai Misses Ma, Pa…


Aishwarya Rai Bachchan turned 35 recently. But the birthday girl couldn’t be with her family back home.

Instead, she spent time with her hubby in the thick jungles of Kochi in Kerala, where they’re shooting for Mani Ratnam’s film. The day went as usual – they left for the shooting venue at 5 am and returned at 7 pm, and then celebrated. “It was a small, quiet affair with the unit. We celebrated with some good food after we packed up,” said a unit member.

Of course, the birthday was incomplete without Ash’s Ma and Pa… But the tech-savvy hubby that Abhi is, and with a gadget freak pa-in-law like Amitabh, Ash connected with everyone back home! Quite some idea, an e-birthday! What say?




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Salman is not at all romantic: Katrina


Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif have been going strong for the last four years, but for the first time, they came together for a shoot and interview for DT on the sets of their film, Subhash Ghai’s Yuvvraaj.

Sallu refused to look into Kat’s eyes during the shoot and chose to look into the camera instead. “He feels he is a unique lover,” says Kat, giving up on trying to get her man to show his romantic side.

Are you anxious about Yuvvraaj where, for the first time, both of you will be romantically paired?
Salman : Not at all. She is my good friend. Meri dost hai, and she’s also my co-star in this film . I am aware that we will be judged, but I’m cool about that.
Katrina : Salman and I have given hits before and the audience have accepted us. But this time, we will be opposite each other in a serious romance. I don’t know why, but I am very nervous.

Is Salman a romantic boyfriend?
K : No, no! He is not romantic at all. He keeps it all for the screen. I want to go on holidays, but he says, it’s boring to be alone together. He hates candlelight dinners. He wants his food to be ready on the table when he reaches a restaurant. I think he likes to be surrounded by people. He is so unromantic!

How’s Katrina, hot or cute?
S: She’s nice...

Do you give Katrina acting tips?
S: That’s not my job. The director does a good job of it.

How’s she as a co-star?
S: She’s a classic example, of ‘the harder you work, the better you get’. She toils a lot and is very professional.

And how’s Salman as a person?
K : I don’t know what tomorrow holds for both of us, but I know for sure that Salman will always be there for me. He is very reliable.

Who is the best co-star for you both?
S: Preity Zinta. I love her energy. We are friends and there’s an easy camaraderie between us which is visible on screen.
K: (laughs) I am sure Salman dismissed me. Nevertheless, in terms of professionalism, it’s Akshay. He is easy to work with, very chilled out and guides you.

Has Katrina found her prince charming in Salman?
K: I don’t believe in this concept. This year, which is my 24th year, I am beginning to accept that people have flaws. Nobody is perfect. But at the same time, I believe in and respect relationships. Then, the person has to be able to make me laugh, and the third factor is trust. I am putting trust in the end, because, these days, you cannot completely rely on trust. You have to go by your instinct.

Who is the most beautiful woman for Salman ?
S : I have met different types of beauty at different given times. Whoever I have gone out with or I am going out with now, is the one.

And the most good-looking man?
K: Earlier I used to think that models were drop dead gorgeous. But today, I cherish a complete personality. But I cannot deny that Salman and I had an instant connection when we met. I thought he was a striking personality.

With the lifestyle and habits that he has, does Salman feel like a prince?
S: Yes, I feel like a prince, but I am not a spoilt prince.




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Federal Cabinet To Meets Today


ISLAMABAD: The meeting of Federal Cabinet will be held today (Wednesday) with Prime Minster Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani in chair in PM secretariat.

The meeting will review prevailing economic issues and law and order situation, however, the PM will give apprise the meeting of his recent visit to Turkey.

Newly appointed federal and state minsters would also be present in the meeting.

Federal cabinet would take briefing about the load-shedding situation besides measures of increase in power production.



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Shriya receives praise for Hollywood debut


NEW YORK: Shriya Saran, making her Hollywood debut, received a handful of flattering reviews over her Hollywood hunk co-star Jesse Metcalfe. But the film The Other End of the Line received mostly negative reviews. Worse, it was also a box-office disaster.

She could of course gloat over the influential trade publication Variety declaring that the film 'is a winning Stateside debut for beautiful Indian actress Shriya.' But where was the audience for the film?

Even for a low-budget film which reportedly cost $2-$3 million, the weekend gross of $57,000 on 91 screens in North America was more than a disaster. The MGM-distributed film was dead on arrival and would be out of most of the theatres next week. The English language film also played in the desi movie circuit but just a few fans of Shriya, who had admired her in such films as the Tamil mega hit Sivaji, came to see it.

The film centers on Priya Sethi, a call centre worker in Mumbai who falls in love with Granger, a customer in America without ever meeting him. She flies to America impulsively ditching her Indian fiance and sees his dreams challenged at every step.


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Taiwan, China make historic economy pact


TAIPEI: China and Taiwan made economic history Tuesday with a bold agreement that allows planes and ships to travel directly across the Taiwan Strait — the place where many have feared they would fight their next battle.

Still the Asian rivals appear far from resolving the root causes of nearly six decades of hostilities and distrust. The pact was possible because negotiators set aside thorny political disputes and only focused on trade and economics.

The new deal allows passenger flights directly across the 100-mile-wide Taiwan Strait that separates Taiwan from mainland China. In the past, planes had to fly into Hong Kong airspace while traveling between the two sides. Cargo ships, which used to have to stop at the Japanese island of Okinawa northeast of Taiwan, will be allowed to sail directly to the other side and cut hundreds of miles out of each trip.

The deal is significant for businesses and drew applause from three chambers of commerce representing Japan, the U.S. and Europe. The groups said in a joint statement the restrictions on flights and shipping have kept Taiwan from fully participating in the global and Asian economies.

"Taiwan can only benefit from having greater interaction with one of the world's fastest growing markets," it said.

In the eyes of China's leaders, Taiwan is a Chinese province that must eventually unite with the mainland or be invaded by the mainland's massive military.

A conflict could quickly draw in the U.S., which has long warned China's government it may defend Taiwan — a major buyer of American weapons. Even as they talk to China, the Taiwanese have been loading up on more U.S. arms, including Apache helicopters and Patriot missiles.

China-Taiwan relations are so awkward and strained that Chinese envoy Chen Yunlin, who signed the deal Tuesday, has yet to call Taiwanese leader Ma Ying-jeou by his proper title: president. When they meet Thursday, Chen will likely just address him as "Mr. Ma."

Chen — the highest-ranking Chinese official to visit Taiwan — is sticking to Beijing's policy of not formally recognizing the island's government.

Taiwan's top official for China policy, Lai Shin-yuan, urged critics to embrace the deal and stop obsessing about sensitive political issues.

"This is something people should support, instead of making an issue of how I am addressed by the Chinese side," Lai told reporters. "Our sovereignty has not been harmed during the meeting this time."

Most Taiwanese are not ready to unify with China and do not want Beijing meddling in their political affairs. Many favor independence, and China's refusal to recognize their government infuriates them. About 200 protesters scuffled with police Tuesday night outside a hotel where the Chinese envoy attended a banquet.

The Taiwanese president, who took office in May, has promised not to begin unification negotiations during his four-year term.

Some fear that closer ties with China — even if they only involve trade and economics — will sacrifice Taiwan's sovereignty by making it overly dependent on the mainland.

That's the view of Taiwan's previous president, Chen Shui-bian, who was vilified by Beijing because he favored independence. Chen on Tuesday accused the new government of being too friendly with China.

"We have strived to be the masters of Taiwan," he said. "But now we are becoming slaves to China."

But Alexander Huang, a political science professor at Taipei's Tamkang University, doubted the economic agreements will lead to Taiwan being absorbed by its massive neighbor.

"Taiwanese have enjoyed their democracy and don't want to have officials appointed by the mainland," said Huang, who also thought the pact would help decrease the threat of a war.

Huang added the agreement shows China is eager to win the hearts and minds of Taiwanese. Beijing, which refused to talk to Chen's government for eight years, also doesn't want Taiwan to drift further toward permanent independence.


via

Oil price surges after slump


LONDON: Oil prices soared on Tuesday as the dollar weakened against the euro and on evidence that OPEC crude exporters were cutting production as promised, analysts said.

Earlier in the day the price of Brent North Sea crude sank close to a 21-month low point under 59 dollars a barrel as traders sold amid weak energy demand worldwide, they added.

Prices had fallen sharply also on market jitters about the outcome of Tuesday's US presidential election, said market watchers.

At 1750 GMT Brent North Sea crude for December delivery stood at 66.55 dollars a barrel, up 6.07 dollars from Monday's close.

"You're just seeing the dollar give back a lot of its gains in (the) last couple sessions. That's leading a lot of commodities higher," said Raymond Carbone, president of brokerage Paramount Options.

A weaker dollar makes oil priced in the US unit cheaper for buyers holding stronger currencies, pushing up demand. On Tuesday the euro jumped back above 1.30 dollars in late European deals.

Earlier on Tuesday Brent slumped to 58.38 dollars, the lowest level since February 21, 2007.

At 1750 GMT New York's main contract, light sweet crude for December delivery, stood at 70.55 dollars a barrel, up 6.64 dollars. Earlier it had fallen to 62.25 dollars.

Analysts said that prices rebounded also on news that OPEC producers were implementing cuts to output, as was pledged at a meeting of the cartel last month.

Algeria has slashed oil production by 71,000 barrels per day to honour a OPEC decision to reduce global daily output by 1.5 million bpd, the APS news agency reported Tuesday.

Algeria produced as many as 1.45 million bpd before the energy ministry implemented the cuts.

OPEC said last month it would reduce production to halt the slide in oil prices, which have lost more than half their value since striking record highs above 147 dollars a barrel in July when fears of supply disruptions sent them rocketing.


via

Thirty US states in recession, 19 at risk

WASHINGTON: Thirty US states were mired in recession in September, and 19 others are at risk of falling into recession in the coming months, a survey by research firm Moody's website said Tuesday.

Moody's defined recession for the study as a decline in a state's gross domestic product (GDP) on average over a six-month period, compared with the prior six-month period.

According to the March-September study, 27 states were already in recession in August.

States with shrunken GDPs were concentrated in the eastern half of the United States -- the Midwest, the southeast and the northeast -- and the West (California, the largest state economy; Oregon; and Hawaii).

At-risk states were located in the center of the country and in the northeast, including New York state.

Moody's said the only state that showed growth was Alaska, whose economy is dominated by the oil and gas industry.

While not one of the 50 states, Moody's survey included the US capital Washington, also called the District of Columbia, where the heavily government-dependent economy also grew during the period.







via

PM Gilani Says Next US Prez Must Stop Air Attacks on Tribal Areas


Islamabad: Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has appealed to the next US President to halt missile strikes on suspected Taliban targets in northwest Pakistan or risk failure in efforts against terrrorism.

Gilani said that visiting US General David Petraeus ‘looked convinced’ when he warned him the strikes were inflaming anti-American sentiment within Pakistan, but that he got no guarantee that they would end.

“No matter who the president of America will be, if he doesn’t respect the sovereignty and integrity of Pakistan … anti-America sentiments and anti-West sentiment will be there,” the Daily Times quoted Gilani as saying.

A frustrated-looking Gilani said that the attacks were “uniting the militants with the tribes”.

He said the US should co-operate with Pakistan’s military, sharing intelligence, to allow Pakistan to go after the targets itself.

He also said the missile strikes served as a distraction to Pakistan’s own military operations. “Their strategy is not coinciding with our strategy,” Gilani said. “Our strategy is to take one area at one time.”




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Plan To Divide Taliban, Al Qaeda Likely To Fail

ISLAMABAD: “With senior U.S. military and civilian officials engaged in hectic consultations with Pakistani authorities on new American plan to alienate Taliban from al-Qaeda, Pakistan’s security circles fear that this strategy could fail and resultantly further destabilize the country.

General David Petraeus, new chief of United States Central Command (CENTCOM), who concluded his two-day visit to Pakistan on Tuesday, discussed in detail with Pakistani leaders, the US plan of turning the tribesmen living on both the sides of Afghan border against the al-Qaeda and also to reach out to ‘moderate’ militants in the ranks of Taliban.

General Petraeus is given credit by the Bush administration for saving the United States from defeat in Iraq by successfully applying the same plan against al-Qaeda with the help of Iraqi tribesmen. An official here seeking anonymity said that at present the new US plan was in the initial phase of implementation in Bajaur Agency and in some other tribal areas of Pakistan whereas Taliban were also being contacted by the Afghan authorities in their territory.

“However, the security circles here are not sure about the success of Petraeus plan because they believe that Iraqi conditions are totally different from those in Pakistan and Iraq,” he said.

First of all, he said al-Qaeda was a new phenomenon in Iraq but in South Asia, it had been operating for decades now.

“As a result of close interaction spanning over years with local tribesmen and especially the Taliban, the al-Qaeda militants have been able to forge close ties with them and hence it is not easy to divide them,” the official said.

He said that porous Afghan border was another main reason for the likely failure of the US plan as the al-Qaeda and hardcore Taliban militants could easily shift their locations in case they felt any threat from the local tribesmen on both the sides of the frontier.

Moreover, he said that influential Taliban commanders like Jalaluddin Haqqani and his son Siraj Haqqani, who were once considered to be Pakistani assets, were now more close to al-Qaeda leadership and it would be a daunting task to break that bond and union.





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President Asif Ali Zardari Congratulated Obama Elect As President

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari congratulated Barack Obama on Wednesday on his victory in the US presidential election.

According to reports, in his message President Zardari congratulated first black president in US history Barack Obama and vice president Joe Biden and convey good wishes for them..





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Bomb Blast In Swat 3 Killed


MINGORA: Three persons were killed in a bomb blast in Chamnai area of Swat valley on Wednesday.

The police have cordoned off the area and the injured being transferred to nearby hospital.




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Barack Obama Has Won A Historic US Presidential Election


Washington/Chicago: Democratic candidate Barack Obama has won a historic US presidential election, television networks projected Tuesday, making him the first African-American ever to lead the United States.

Obama, 47, had a commanding victory over Republican rival John McCain, 72, capturing a series of reliable Republican states including Virginia and Ohio that voted for President George W Bush in the last two elections.

Obama was put over the top as US networks projected victories in California, Washington and Oregon as soon as polls in those states closed at 11 pm (0400 GMT).

A deafening roar went out from the tens of thousands of supporters gathered at Obama’s victory rally in Chicago’s Grant Park. Obama was to address the crowd later in the evening.

Obama had already taken a commanding lead in the US presidential election before the official projection, capturing the key swing states of Pennsylvania and Ohio earlier in the night and leaving McCain with an almost impossible uphill battle to keep his hopes alive.

No candidate has captured the White House without Ohio’s 20 electoral votes since 1960. No Republican has ever won the presidency without it. Similarly in Virginia, no Democrat has won the state since 1964.

Pennsylvania, with 21 electoral votes, had been considered McCain’s best shot of capturing a reliable Democratic state. McCain did not win a single state taken by Democrat John Kerry four years ago.

A total of 270 electoral votes is needed to win in the country’s state-by-state, winner-takes-all US electoral system. The count stood at 290 electoral votes for Obama and
145 for McCain.

Some of the other key states captured by Obama included Michigan, Wisconsin, New Hampshire, New Mexico and Iowa. Georgia, South Carolina, Louisiana and Texas were some of the largest taken by McCain.

Millions of voters had waited for hours at polling stations across the country as McCain and Obama made a final push for votes in swing states.

In Chicago, the disproportionately young crowd awaiting Obama’s rally had a large representation of both whites and blacks, with small numbers of Latinos and Asians. Tiffany Gholar, 29, a Chicago student and executive assistant, said that Obama’s victory “would make me feel like some real progress has been made since the civil rights movement.”

McCain’s campaign was holding an evening rally at a hotel in Phoenix, Arizona.

Democrats worked on the hope that eight years of President George W Bush’s unpopular policies in Iraq and the slumping economy would convince voters to hand them control of the White House and strengthen their control of Congress.

The Democrats picked up at least four seats from Republicans in the Senate and were poised to make significant gains to widening their majorities in both congressional houses, network projections showed.

The faltering US economy was by far the top concern of voters heading to the polls in Tuesday’s general election, according to initial exit polls reported by US broadcaster CNN.

A full 62 per cent of voters ranked the economy as the key issue of this election, compared to 10 per cent invoking the war in Iraq and 9 per cent rating terrorism or health care highest.

Millions already voted in recent weeks in early or absentee voting allowed in 31 states, including key battlegrounds Florida, North Carolina, Colorado and Nevada.

Voters waited patiently in serpentine queues early Tuesday to cast ballots. Many had started lining up before dawn, and some braved pouring rain to cast their ballots.

It was a bittersweet end to the 21-month campaign for Obama, whose grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, 86, passed away overnight Sunday after a battle with cancer, the Illinois senator revealed Monday.




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2 Bombs Blast Wound 62 in Muslim Southern Thailand


BANGKOK: A car bomb at a fruit market and another explosion minutes later at a nearby teashop wounded 62 people in Muslim southern Thailand on Tuesday, where 3,000 people have died in a five-year separatist rebellion, police said.

The first explosion appeared to target an outdoor meeting of village chiefs at a district office in Narathiwat, one of the three southernmost provinces roiled by the violence, police said.

A second device exploded two minutes later at a tea-shop 100 metres (yards) away, police said.




NEWS BY WWW.APAKSITANNEWS.COM

Suicide Blast In Hangu 7 Killed, Several Injured


HANGU: At least 7 people were killed including three security officials and six others were injured in a suicide attack at security force check post in Do-Aba area of Hangu districts here on Tuesday morning.

According to details, here on Tuesday morning suicide attack on security force check post in Do-Aba of Hangu district killed seven people including three security officials while several others were injured. More casualties feared sources added..

After the attack emergency has been imposed in district hospital Hangu. While security forces has cordon off the entire area and started looking for the miscreants in the attack.




NEWS BY WWW.APAKISTANNEWS.COM

Militants’ Hideouts Pounded in Bajaur, 13 Killed


BAJAUR AGENCY: At least 13 militants were reportedly killed and several others injured when the security forces targeted hideouts of extremists and Taliban fighters at Tehsil Mamond on Monday.

According to security officials, the security forces continued offensive against extremists and militants in various areas of Tehsil Mamond and targetted their positions.

In Tehsil Momond, the areas of Sheenkot, Metro Shah, Siparay and Damadola were shelled Monday afternoon in which 10 miscreants were killed.

On Monday morning, the troops targeted the hideouts of militants at various areas of Tehsil Mamond in which three militants died, the sources said.

The security officials claimed to have destroyed several bunkers and dens of the miscreants. The writ of government has been reestablished in most areas of Bajaur Agency and the law and order situation has considerably been improved.

The routine activities in majority areas of Khar Sub Division are running as normal.






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U.S. Commander Hears Pakistani Complaints On Attacks

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan complained Monday to the top U.S. military commander in the area over American attacks against suspected terrorists inside Pakistan.

Gen. David Petraeus, making his first trip abroad as the new head of U.S. Central Command, met in Pakistan with new President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, and other government and military leaders. Asked by Reza Sayah, a journalist, if he heard any criticism over the U.S. attacks, Petraeus said he had.

“In fact, we got certain messages with each of those we talked today and some of those were very clear and we have to take those on board,” Petraeus said Monday. “This is a partnership, a cooperative endeavor designed to achieve mutual goals and mutual interests and so we have to clearly accept that.”

Speaking to media, the Pakistani ambassador to the United States, expressed his country’s displeasure Monday in no uncertain terms.

“The U.S. has to stop acting unilaterally,” said Ambassador Husain Haqqani.

The U.S. has launched numerous missile attacks against suspected al-Qaeda and Taliban hideouts in the remote tribal regions of Pakistan that borders Afghanistan.

The U.S. military has become frustrated with Islamabad over the years, saying it has not done enough against militants — a claim Pakistan denies. The United States also has complained that some Pakistani intelligence officials are helping the Taliban.

Petraeus said he broached the subject Monday.

“Well, in fact, we raised this issue,” Petraeus said. “And I think the tone of the conversation today was very frank and very forthright as it should be, among partners who are facing a truly serious challenge, and that’s the way we want to see it characterized and play out in the future.”

Pakistan realizes the threat that terrorists pose, Petraeus said, and is committed to acting on it.

“One of the clear messages that I got today was the recognition by Pakistan’s leaders of the existential threat as they see it from extremists who are in those areas,” Petraeus said. “They are very serious about dealing with that threat.”




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Tribal Leader Killed In Kohat

PESHAWAR: An important tribal leader of Orakzai Agency has been shot dead near his residence in Kohat.

According to sources, unknown persons shot dead tribal leader Malik Nawab Khan of Mamoonzai tribe when he was returning back home after offering Fajir prayers. He was actively participating in the talks between government and Mamoonzai tribe after shelling in the area.




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Lahore Lawyers Have Lockdown The Civil Courts in Protest

LAHORE: Protesting lawyers have lockdown the civil courts here on Tuesday.

According to reports, agitating lawyers have lockdown the civil courts. The protestors started lockdown from senior civil judge Zafar Yar Khan court where a case hearing was in process.

Staff of some of the courts voluntarily lockdown the courts to avoid clash. After lockdown in Aiwan Adalat, lawyers rally reached session court and lock down the courts.





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Esha Deol’s Goan birthday


Esha Deol turned a year older on Sunday.

While the girl celebrated her last birthday rather religiously – in Tirupati, this year’s celebrations were expected to be ‘wild’. After all she was in Goa, the land of sand and surf, shooting for a film. But Esha reveals otherwise. “No, there were no wild plans for me,” she says, “There was no respite from work. But there were no complaints either since Goa is one of my favourite places.”

About the most special thing that happened on her birthday… Well, mom Hema flew down to Goa to spend the day with her. “Yes, mom was here. She always spends my birthday with me, whichever part of the globe I may be in,” says Esha, “She has come to Jim Corbett and Cape Town, too, in the past… She just knows how to make it special for me!” Hey-ma, tujhe salaam !




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Sushmita’s Renee Goes Indian


For the Bengalis, clothes are bought once a year… just before Durga poohja.

So if you shopped in Diwali, Sushmita Sen’s shopping was done way before when Durga Ma graced the Earth. And the perfect mom that Sush is, she took Renee to do her bit of shopping, too. But mommy Sen was taken aback this time round.

“Renee settled for all Indian dresses. It wasn’t jeans and fancy tops for her this year,” Sush told us, alarmed. “She made me buy her salwar kameezes, cholis-lehengas and what not…” Well, at least someone’s growing up!




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Brent Oil Dips Down Under $60 in Asia


LONDON: After the oil barrel price settled just above 60 dollars in London, morning trading in Asia on Tuesday saw Brent crude oil drop below the 60 dollar mark, as a result of slowing economies and weakening energy demand forecasts.

Brent crude oil dropped below 60 dollars a barrel Tuesday amid concerns over weakening energy demand after data showed US and European economies facing a worsening economic outlook, dealers said.

In morning Asian trade, Brent North Sea crude for December delivery was down 71 cents to 59.77 dollars a barrel. It had tumbled 4.84 dollars to settle at 60.48 dollars per barrel in London on Monday.

New York’s main contract, light sweet crude for December delivery, declined 55 cents to 63.36 dollars a barrel, after dropping 3.90 dollars a barrel in US trade.

The European Commission warned on Monday that the worst financial crisis for generations has driven the EU economy into recession and economic growth will come close to a standstill in 2009.

The 15 countries sharing the euro have slumped into the first technical recession, defined by economists as two or more quarters running of economic contraction, since the bloc was formed in 1999, the commission estimated.

In the United States, the world’s largest energy consumer, manufacturing activity in October fell to its lowest level in 26 years, according to data from the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) on Monday.

“The further collapse in the ISM manufacturing index to a 26-year low… confirmed that the US economy is now in a severe recession that will be one of the worst in the post-war era,” research house Capital Economics said.

This is the steepest fall for the manufacturing index since a recession in 1982 in which the US economy shrank by a total of nearly 3.0 percent, it added.

Capital Economics said a sharp decline in new export orders suggests that much of the decline in demand for US-made goods is coming from overseas, where economies are also hurting from the financial turmoil that originated in the United States.

“The strength of US exports in recent years, particularly from within the factory sector, has been one of the few bits of good news, helping offset the domestic impact of the housing downturn,” it said.

“However, this is clearly the next shoe to drop and we suspect that exports will fall sharply in 2009 as many of the world’s other economies slide into recession and the dollar continues to strengthen.”

A strong dollar makes US-made goods more expensive in the international market.

Oil prices have slumped since striking record highs above 147 dollars per barrel in July, sparking a large production cut from the OPEC oil producers’ cartel last month.

But OPEC’s decision to slash crude output by 1.5 million barrels a day from November 1 will not immediately shore up crude prices, the cartel’s current chief said Sunday.



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India’s share in global M&A less than 1%

The merger and acquisition spree of corporate India seems to have hit the nadir, as India’s share in the global M&A tally, which touched a whopping three trillion dollars, is less than even one per cent. Till September this year, corporate India has announced merger and acquisition deals worth $26.43 billion, which is around 0.8 per cent of the total global M&A kitty.

Commenting on the current market situation, KPMG Executive Director (Corporate Finance Group) Gaurav Khungar said: “The environment is plagued with conservatism and a wait-and-watch approach with absence of decision making or aggression… and questions on prospective bankruptcy risks are abound.”

Khungar further said beyond the economic factors that have contributed to lack of credit for M&A or business operations, all economic advise in the media is providing guidance to companies to hold on to their cash positions.

Data compiled by deal tracking firm Dealogic shows there has been a slowdown in M&A activity across the world as all regions except Latin America reported decreasing deal volume. Accordingly, though the global M&A volume has reached a whopping three-trillion dollar mark so far this year, it represented a decline of 22 per cent from the year-ago period.

“Forex volatility in the recent months has contributed its own share of negative impact on profits. Equity analyst have re-rated earnings forecasts across sectors including infrastructure,” Khungar said.

He further noted, “the aggregated affect of this is a slow down in corporate India’s M&A spree. Investors anticipate that over a period of time valuations will be more cash flow based and realistic.”

The ripple effect of this downtrend was witnessed on the Indian shore, as the M&A tally decreased significantly by 46.42 per cent over the year-ago period. Another report from global consultancy major Grant Thornton showed the total number of M&A deals during the first nine months of 2008 stands at 381, with an announced value of $26.43 billion. In the corresponding period a year ago
there were around 527 deals amounting to $49.33 billion.

Market experts said the crisis in financial markets is acting as a dampener for M&A deals. Although, valuations of companies have gone down, banks are cutting down their exposure to funding deals.

“It is expected that gradual government actions across economies will selectively facilitate normalcy for credit requirements for ongoing business operations prior to long-term credit decisions becoming forthcoming,” Khungar added.

The total number of M&A deals announced during the calendar year 2007 stood at 676 with a total announced value of $51.11 billion.



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US Treasury Wants to Borrow A Record 550 Billion Dollars

WASHINGTON: The US Treasury said Monday it would seek to borrow a record 550 billion dollars in the October-December period to help stabilize the financial sector hammered by the global credit crisis.

The fourth-quarter borrowing estimate was substantially higher than the 408 billion dollars announced in July, and is a record high for quarterly estimates, a Treasury official said.

“The increase in borrowing is primarily due to higher outlays related to economic assistance programs, lower receipts, and lower net issuances of state and local government series securities,” the Treasury said in a statement.

The Treasury said the federal government had borrowed 530 billion dollars from the markets in the third quarter. Of that amount, 300 billion dollars was borrowed for the Federal Reserve’s Supplementary Financing Program, launched in mid-September in a bid to support the ailing economy.




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Multi-Tier Security Plan For Jammu-Kashmir Polls Finalised


Jammu: With the stage set for the first phase of polling in Jammu and Kashmir on November 17, Director General of Police (DGP) Kuldeep Khoda today finalised the multi-tier security plan for polling stations at a meeting here.

Poll related arrangements in Jammu zone, where first phase of polling will be held on November 17 in Poonch, were reviewed and finalised at a high level meeting of police officers here.

Khoda said the security of the political leaders and contesting candidates in particular is of paramount importance.

DGP instructed staff to ensure total security of polling stations, candidates and rallies besides coordination among various wings of poll security to hold free, fair and incident free elections.

All possible security arrangements have been ensured including finalisation of security plan of the polling station, including sensitive and hyper sensitive ones for the smooth conduct of elections in Jammu and Kashmir.

The transport plan, deployment of polling parties to different polling stations, security arrangements and accommodation were also discussed during the meeting.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Jammu zone, K Rajendra Kumar discussed the arrangements with DGP in detail and briefed the officers present about the security scenario.




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Barack Obama Kashmir Talk


Democratic White House hopeful,Barack Obama has, in a recent interview, suggested that United States should try to help resolve Kashmir issue between India and Pakistan. Obama believes that if efforts are made to resolve the issue, that has been plaguing the relations between the two nuclear neighbours since 1947, it would help address the problem of militancy in the region. Obama seems of the opinion that Pakistan, at the moment, is not able to fight militancy effectively as besides militants in its country, it is also focused on India because of the Kashmir issue. The US presidential candidate believes that if his country facilitates better understanding between the two countries and try to resolve Kashmir issue, Pakistan could stay focused, not on India, but the militants operating on its soil. Obama’s remarks indicate that the world is concerned about the relations between India and Pakistan and is eager to see the two countries treading the path of peace and reconciliation.

Though while talking about Kashmir resolution, Obama is more concerned about Pakistan militancy that, in association with Taliban, is making things difficult for US in Afghanistan but the statement clearly indicates that US would prefer Indo-Pak amity instead of enmity. Gone is Cold War era when US would want India and Pakistan to be at logger heads. The better ties between these two countries would undoubtedly help restoration of peace not only in the region but in the entire world as once the two join hands, they can tackle the menace of violence more effectively. That is what Obama is hinting at and in the process; the two countries would also be able to settle the dispute over Kashmir once for all.
Whether Obama wants it to happen or not, fact of the matter is that India and Pakistan can’t and should not remain stuck to the beaten tracks as for as the status of their mutual relationship is concerned. Times are changing and the two need to change with an eye on strengthening process of peace and reconciliation. The fresh initiative the countries took vis-?-vis starting the trade between the divided parts of the Jammu and Kashmir and the earlier decision of opening the routes across Line of Control (LoC) is a good beginning. Though, at the moment, the trade seems more symbolic but if the countries are really eager to find some lasting solution to the vexed problem of Kashmir, they will have to make trade and travel more trader and traveler friendly. The more contacts and communication, economic as well as psychological, between the divided people, the less intense would be the conflict. Kashmir is such a complicated issue given the regional, ethnical, lingual and religious diversities of the state that resolving it in a jiffy would be asking for too much. It would need a step by step approach and subsequently the two countries should also focus on other matters of bilateral interest. It is better for the two countries that while moving forward in their sustained peace process, they, on either side of the divide, keep their communication links open with the political leadership of Jammu and Kashmir too, of course of all shades and opinions.




NEWS BY APAKISTANNEWS.COM

Aaqib Javed Named Bowling Coach of Pakistan Team


ISLAMABAD: Aaqib Javed has been appointed assistant coach of the national cricket team and would accompany the side to the three-match series against the West Indies in Abu Dhabi.

Talking to Ary One World Aaqib said that during his tenure he would try to strengthen Pakistan bowling attack along with that he will also try to boost Pakistan cricket team moral.



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Mohammad Yousuf is having second thoughts on joining ICL


Karachi: Pakistan’s senior batsman Mohammad Yousuf is having second thoughts on joining the ‘rebel’ Indian Cricket League (ICL) after threats from the Indian Premier League to take him to court for breach of contract with it.
Sources told PTI that Yousuf was recieved by former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq in New Delhi last evening and the duo consulted legal experts on Yousuf’s problems with ICL and IPL.

“One does not know what the legal experts exactly told Yousuf but the official announcement of his signing with the ICL could be delayed as he is having a second thought to the whole issue now,” one source said.

He said Yousuf was aware that he could find himself totally out in the cold if the IPL also lodged a legal case against him for rejoining the ICL.

“Obviously if Yousuf does play in the ICL it would be a coup for the organisers of the rebel league as the Pakistani batsman is a big name. So it would not be surprising if the IPL decide to spoil the party for him,” the source added.

Indian board officials have made it clear that Yousuf was contracted to play in the IPL and had also been given an advance payment on the insistence of the Pakistan board and if he signs again for the ICL they would take him to court.

To make matters worse, Yousuf is already embroiled in a legal battle with the ICL over a breach of contract case.

PCB legal counsel, Tafazzul Rizvi who was representing Yousuf in his legal battle against the ICL before the Indian arbitrator and the Mumbai High Court said he was shocked by reports that the senior batsman had flown to India to join the ‘rebel’ league.

“I don’t understand what he is trying to do because till few days back he was discussing the case with me to prepare for the next hearing,” Rizvi said.





NEWS BY APAKISTANNEWS.COM

Sarah Cleared in ‘Troopergate’ Case


Washington: Republican vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin is learnt to have been cleared by a state personnel board about her role in the infamous the “Troopergate” case, whereby she was accused of abusing her office as Alaska Governor in dismissing one of her staffers.

Earlier, a probe conducted by the state legislature had found Sarah as guilty in terminating the services of Department of Public Safety Commissioner (Walt) Monegan because the latter didn’t comply with her orders to dismiss her brother-in-law who had divorced her sister.

Palin requested the second investigation be conducted by the state personnel board after alleging the legislative probe was politically motivated.

“There is no probable cause to believe that Governor Palin violated the Alaska Executive Ethics Act by making the decision to dismiss Department of Public Safety Commissioner (Walt) Monegan and offering him instead the position of Director of the Alaska Beverage Control Board,” The News quoted the state personnel board as saying in its report.

In its report, the legislature had found that Palin had violated ethics rules when she dismissed Monegan in July, allegedly because he refused to fire a state trooper, her former brother-in-law.




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Barack Obama Wining in Earliest Vote



NEW HAMPSHIRE: Democrat Barack Obama came up a big winner in the presidential race in Dixville Notch, New Hampshire, where the nation’s first Election Day votes were cast and counted early Tuesday.

Obama defeated Republican John McCain 15-6. Independent Ralph Nader was also on the ballot, but received no votes.

The first voter, following a tradition established in 1948, was picked ahead of the midnight voting and the rest of the town’s registered voters followed suit in Tuesday’s first minutes.




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Intelligence Chief Shot Dead by Taliban in Southern Afghanistan

Taliban militants riding on a motorbike killed the deputy intelligence chief of the southern province of Kandahar, while NATO forces killed a senior Taliban commander in the same region, officials said on Tuesday.

Azizullah, who goes by a single name, the deputy provincial intelligence chief, was killed when he was on his way home in the Loy Wala area of Kandahar city on Monday evening, said Abdul Qayoum Katawazi, the provincial chief of intelligence.

He said the attackers, on a motorbike, shot him dead and then escaped the area.

Taliban militants took responsibility for the attack in a statement posted at their website.

Meanwhile, NATO forces said they had killed a Taliban commander, Mullah Ziauddin, in an airstrike in Lashkargah, the capital city of the southern province of Helmand on October 29, the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) said in a statement.

“Ziauddin is reported to have been linked with other senior Taliban members and to have controlled forces responsible for attacks on ISAF and Afghan Security Forces,” it said.

“He was also believed to be associated with the group responsible for the kidnapping of 160 Afghan engineers and labourers in Helmand province in September,” it added.

The workers, who were mistaken for army soldiers, were kidnapped in the region, but were released by the militants after several days in captivity.

More than 4,000 people - mostly insurgents - have been killed in Afghanistan political conflicts so far this year.




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Monday, November 3, 2008

Obama’s Kashmir statement in ‘full conformity’ with ex-US presidents”


Washington: Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama is toeing the old American line in saying that the US should make efforts to forge better relations between India and Pakistan by resolving the Kashmir problem peacefully and amicably, said Kashmiri-American Council head Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai.

Commenting on Obama’s statement on Kashmir, Fai said that the senator, who is tipped to be the next US president, was in “full conformity” with previous statements made by US leaders and representatives.

“As early as 1962, US President John F Kennedy requested the President of Ireland to sponsor a resolution on Kashmir in the UN Security Council (UNSC), reaffirming the resolutions of the UN Commission on India and Pakistan (UNCIP), he said, adding US secretary of state John Foster Dulles said on February 5, 1957, “We continue to believe that unless the parties are able to agree upon some other solution, the solution which was recommended by the UNSC should prevail, which is that there should be a plebiscite.”

Dr Fai said American representative to the UN Adlai Stevenson stated on June 15, 1962, “The best approach is to take for a point of departure the area of common ground which exists between the parties. I refer of course to the resolutions which were accepted by both parties and which in essence provide for demilitarisation of the territory and a plebiscite whereby the population may freely decide the future status of Jammu and Kashmir.”

More recently, President George Bush said on February 22 this year that the US supports any solution of Kashmir that is acceptable to India, Pakistan and the Kashmiri citizens, Fai said. (ANI)



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Sunday, November 2, 2008

The Federal Cabinet Well come 41 New Ministers Today


ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet will be expanded today when President Asif Ali Zardari will swear in some 41 new ministers and ministers of state.

According to ARY OneWorld, the new ministers, belonging to Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Awami National Party (ANP) and Maulana Fazlur Rehman-led Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI), will take oath of their offices in a ceremony to be held in Aiwan-e-Sadr today (Monday).

Interestingly, the name of the Senior Vice Chairman of ruling PPP, Makhdoom Amin Fahim, is topping the long-list, as he will also take oath as Senior Minister in federal cabinet.

Fahim, a prominent critic of his own party’s polices towards various national issues since after President Asif Ali Zardari assumed co-chairmanship of the PPP, was supposed to be sidelined by the new managers of the party captured the scene following assassination of former premier Benazir Bhutto.

But on Sunday, sources in PPP informed ARY OneWorld that Makhdoom Amin Fahim has accepted the offer of assuming the charge of senior federal minister and will swear in along with 40 others.

PPP leaders including MNA Nabeel Gabool, MNA Mehreen Anwar Raja, Senator Baber Awan and Waqar Ahmed Khan are among those who would officially be inducted in federal cabinet besides two parliamentarians of Awami National Party (ANP), namely Arbab Zahir and Masood Abbas.

The expansion in federal cabinet was on cards since after a major ally of the ruling alliance, Nawaz Sharif-led PML-N, departed its ways from the coalition government on the issue of restoration of judiciary.

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani tipped off Saturday that the expansion in federal cabinet might be carried out in a day or two.

PM Gilani on Sunday also extended an official invitation to a major-ally of PPP in Sindh, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), to join in the federal cabinet.




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Gilani Says No Action Against Musharraf Stay Out Of Politics


Islamabad: Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has reportedly said that his government won’t take any action against the country’s former president Pervez Musharraf as long as he stayed away from politics.

Gilani described Musharraf as a relic of the past whom his government didn’t want to disturb now.

“Now, he keeps a low profile. If he is not politically active, then we would not want to open too many fronts. He was convinced that he lacked the parliament’s support, and he stepped down,” the Daily Times quoted him as saying in an interview with a Turkish daily.

He added: “Although parliament has not made a decision on his fate until now, the government is not seeking further punishment. He is a relic of the past. Why should we bother about him at the moment?”

The prime minister further said that the government was committed to addressing the root causes of violence in the country and reserved the use of force as a last resort to deter terrorists.

He also hinted that his government would be ready to talk to the Taliban to end the violence, provided that they were not involved in terrorism. “We are not talking to people who are militants. We are only talking to the people who have denounced terrorism,” the prime minister said. (ANI)





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Chief Justice Iftikhar Ch Leaves Home To Address Lawyers


ISLAMABAD: The sacked chief justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry Monday left his residence to address the Rawalpindi Bar on the Black Day announced by the lawyers movement leaders.

Large number of lawyers, civil society members and workers of political parties were present on the occasion.

Meanwhile, President Supreme Court Bar Ali Ahmed Kurd has said that the objective of the lawyers’ movement is restoration of the judiciary to its Nov. 2, 2007 position.

“Anyone who thinks that the movement has been fall down with restoration of eight to 10 judges is on mistake,” Kurd talking to media here said.

The lawyers would not return back to homes till restoration of the judiciary on pre Nov. 3 position, the lawyers’ leader said.

Replying a question he said the talks with the government can be held if allowed by the lawyers, he further said.

The lawyers’ movement has entered in its third phase he said and added that the movement will be strengthened with the passing time.




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