Oil prices shoot up after US GDP data

NEW YORK: Crude oil prices shot higher Friday, propelled by news the US economy shrank less than expected in the second quarter, offering more hope for an economic rebound. A sharp decline in the dollar also helped support the oil rally. New York's main contract, light sweet crude for September, jumped 2.51 dollars to close at 69.45 dollars a barrel. In London, Brent North Sea crude for September delivery gained 1.59 dollars to settle at 71.70 dollars a barrel. The New York session was volatile, with the barrel swinging in a range of nearly five dollars. Traders' initial reaction to the US gross domestic product (GDP) data was negative. The Commerce Department reported that the world's largest economy and biggest consumer of energy shrank at an annualized rate of 1.0 percent in the second quarter. That was less than the 1.5 percent contraction that most analysts had expected, but the data showed a 6.4 percent decline in the first quarter, worse than the previous estimate of a 5.5 percent drop. But the market chose to look on the bright side of the mixed report, help by the Chicago purchasing managers index that showed a slowing in the decline of industrial activity in the region. The indicator came in better than anticipated "so the dollar got wrecked," said Phil Flynn of PFG Best Research. Link..

US economy shrinks one percent in second quarter

WASHINGTON: The US economy shrank at a one-percent annual rate in the second quarter of 2009, according to a preliminary estimate by the US Commerce Department. The figure was better than economists expected and signals that the longest US recession since the Great Depression of the 1930s has slowed dramatically. But first-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) was revised down sharply to a 6.4-percent contraction, the worst three-month stretch in 27 years, from a 5.5-percent drop reported last month by the department’s Bureau of Economic Analysis. Economists had forecast about a 1.5-percent contraction in the second quarter of the year. Friday’s figure was the first of three estimates. Link..

Couples marry on boat during Amsterdam gay pride

AMSTERDAM: Five gay Dutch-American couples tied the knot aboard a boat Saturday during Amsterdam's gay pride festival, as thousands of revellers took to waterborne floats on the city's historic canals. Organisers said around 560,000 people turned out for the celebrations in the capital of the Netherlands, the first country to legalise gay marriage in April 2001. Applause rang out from a huge crowd of spectators as the couples were married on one of the 80 boats transformed into parade floats for the celebrations. Some of the newlyweds had travelled from New York, where gay marriage is not legal, to the Netherlands in order to say their wedding vows. "Unfortunately, we have had to come all the way to Amsterdam to be able to get married legally," lamented 25-year-old Patrick Decker. "The United States is the land of freedom, but homosexuals are still not free to get married," added another one of the newlyweds, 40-year-old Hans Heijnis from the Netherlands. Mayor of Amsterdam Job Cohen, who officiated at the marriages, said the public ceremony was aimed at reminding people that "it is important for gay marriage to exist everywhere". Members of the country's armed forces were also allowed to parade in uniform during Amsterdam's gay pride for the first time this year. Military chiefs gave them permission "on condition they wore the correct dress". Police officers were also strutting their stuff aboard one of the canal boats alongside scantily clad partygoers as deafening music blasted out. Olympic champions and footballers joined the celebrations to get the message across that homosexuality and sport can go together, said Frank van Dalen, one of the organisers of the parade. Meanwhile, a gay pride march was under way Saturday in the Swedish capital Stockholm, thought to be the largest such celebration in northern Europe. Celebrities, pop stars and sportsmen hit the streets of the Nordic country known for its liberal attitudes. Link..

Iran: Former president blasts post-election trials

Iran's reformist former President Mohammad Khatami Sunday blasted the trials of people arrested in demonstrations as an "insult" to Iran and Islam."Such play-acting ... damages the system and reduces public trust," he said in a statement provided by his office.Nearly 100 Iranians arrested in the aftermath of the disputed June 12 presidential elections went on trial Saturday, two Iranian news agencies reported.But Khatami said the trials were unconstitutional, contrary to "the law and the rights of citizens."The real crimes had been committed by the authorities, he said.He condemned "the atrocities committed at certain detention centers as well as those committed during arrests which, in some cases, resulted in murder."He dismissed the reported confessions of the accused, as did another influential ex-president, Ali Akhbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, according to Iran's government-funded Press TV.

Among the charges the detainees are facing are:
-- Attacking military facilities using firearms, cold weapons and fire bombs
-- Attacking government facilities and setting fire to them
-- Destruction of public property
-- Creating panic in public
-- Beating up members of the security forces
Among the nearly 100 defendants are several members of the reformist Mosharekat Party and a member of the central committee of the Kargozaran Party, which is close to Rafsanjani, the semi-official FARS news agency reported. Link..

1 killed, 15 hurt in Alberta stage collapse

One person was killed and 15 others were injured Saturday when an outdoor stage collapsed in western Canada's Alberta province, police said. The victims were attending the Big Valley Jamboree music event in Camrose, Police Chief Darrel Kambietz told CNN.Kambietz said the victims were either on or near the stage when it collapsed. "Some of the injured were trapped. We did have emergency services on site at the time and were able to move into action quickly and free those individuals and transport quickly," he said. Kambietz said severe weather, including high winds, hit the area about 6 p.m. (8 p.m. ET)."There was approximately 15,000 people in the concert bowl when the weather front moved in very quickly," Kambietz said. "They were in the process of evacuating or removing those people when the incident occurred."Actor and film producer Kevin Costner's band "Modern West" had been scheduled to take the stage Saturday evening and was reportedly backstage at the time of the incident. The Big Valley Jamboree is an outdoor country music festival that has been held nearly 18 years. Link..

Harvard prof in arrest uproar makes rosy gesture to 911 caller

The woman who made the 911 call that led to Harvard University professor Henry Louis Gates' controversial arrest wasn't present at the so-called beer summit. But she got a shot of kindness and a taste of gratitude from Gates himself. Lucia Whalen received a bouquet of flowers at her office from Gates, according to Whalen's attorney, Wendy Murphy. "She described them as amazing, and appreciated them very much," Murphy said of the bouquet. The attorney described the flowers as being a beautiful assortment of what she believed were different colored roses. There was a note included from Gates, the details of which Murphy would not divulge. She said the note characterized Gates's "expression of gratitude" for Whalen's action.An officer responding to a report of a possible break-in at Gates' Cambridge, Massachusetts, home arrested the professor on July 16 for disorderly conduct. The charge was later dropped.The arrest sparked a national debate about race and police relations.Whalen said an older woman with no cell phone told her that she was worried someone was trying to break into the home, and decided to call 911. Link..

2 dead, 11 hurt in shooting at gay club in Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday condemned the "horrible murder" of two people in a shooting at a gay club in Tel Aviv. A man injured in the shooting at the club in Tel Aviv receives treatment.We will bring [the killer] to justice and apply the full extent of the law against him," the prime minister said at the start of the weekly Cabinet meeting. At least two people were killed and 11 wounded in the shooting Saturday night, Israeli police said. The shooter, who was wearing black, entered the club at 10:40 p.m. and started firing all around, police spokesman Mickey Rosenfeld said. The gunman fled the scene on foot and police are conducting a search. The dead are Nir Katz, a 26-year-old man, and Liz Tarbushi, a 17-year-old girl, Rosenfeld said. Three of the wounded are in serious condition, according to Israeli ambulance services.

Obama in credit card face-off

WASHINGTON (CNNMoney.com) -- Ramping up his campaign to crack down on credit cards, President Obama will meet Thursday with executives of 14 leading companies to press his case for new consumer protections.
The White House meeting comes a day after credit card legislation opposed by the financial services industry moved forward on Capitol Hill. The House Financial Services Committee voted 48-19 to approve a bill to clamp down on rates and fees; nine Republicans joined the panel's Democrats in voting for it.
The House bill would, among other things, ban "arbitrary" interest rate increases, prohibit excessive fees and order more disclosure. It could go to the full House for a vote as soon as next week.
But the Obama administration signaled it plans to push for further changes.
"We are ... working with Congress on legislation that will promote simplicity, require transparency, demand fairness, and ensure accountability - so that we can strengthen consumer protections against abusive and deceptive practices," Obama adviser Valerie Jarrett said in a statement Wednesday.
Obama advocated for a credit card holder bill of rights during last year's presidential campaign. But the administration had lately been mostly silent on the congressional proposals until last Sunday, when Obama economic adviser Larry Summers spoke publicly about the administration getting tough on credit card companies.
The House bill - and a similar one in the Senate - is a cornerstone of efforts by consumer groups and mostly congressional Democrats to rewrite rules governing lending practices by card companies, banks and others. The House bill, championed by Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., is similar to one passed by the House last year.
"This bill cracks down on some of the most outrageous abuses," Maloney said Wednesday. "My bill levels the playing field so consumers have more control over their credit."
In the Senate, which did not advance credit card proposals last year, a committee has passed a version of the House bill, with one Democrat voting against it.
The House bill mirrors tougher rules that the Federal Reserve passed last December but that don't go into effect until July 2010.
The Fed changes would stop higher interest rates from being imposed when consumers are late paying unrelated bills. The changes also stop companies from averaging finance charges from two previous cycles, a practice that dings consumers who carry a balance and pay it off.
Several House Republicans said the pending Fed rule changes make congressional action unnecessary.
But Rep. Barney Frank, chairman of the House Financial Services panel, disagreed.
"What the Federal Reserve giveth, the Federal Reserve can taketh away," he said. Frank pointed out that the Fed could later undo the rules if Congress doesn't pass a law.
Meanwhile, industry lobbyists are fighting both the House and Senate bills for many reasons. But they especially don't like how the proposals would prevent card issuers from raising interest rates and fees based on risky behavior.

Chennai look to maintain winning momentum

After bouncing back from their opening match defeat, last year's runners-up Chennai Super Kings will look to maintain their winning momentum as they take on Delhi Daredevils in their Indian Premier League match on Thursday.Chennai Super Kings had a shaky start when they lost to Mumbai Indians in the IPL opener but Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men bounced back in the next match drubbing the Bangalore Royal Challengers by 92 runs.With purple cap wearer Australian Matthew Hayden in great touch even after his retirement, CSK have no less a batting firepower than the formidable looking batting line-up of the Daredevils and cracker of a match is on the cards tomorrow.Hayden, the current leading scorer, smashed the second fastest fifty in IPL en route to his 35-ball 65 and in company with Parthiv Patel plundered 106 runs for the opening wicket against Bangalore.Chennai have some fine all-rounders in England's Andrew Flintoff and South African Albie Morkel and with left-hander Suresh Raina also finding his form with a valuable 28 against Bangalore, there doesn't seem to be any major chink in their batting resources. Delhi Daredevils have also some in-form batsmen in their ranks with skipper Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir showing no problems in scoring 58 runs in 4.5 overs to notch up a 10-wicket win against Kings XI Punjab in their rain-truncated first match.Even though rain Gods played a role in the win, Sehwag had made it clear that they have the firepower to chase down the original score of 104 in 12 overs.The pundits' favourites, Delhi also boast of some quality players like big hitter David Warner and old warhorse Glenn McGrath, who are still to make an appearance in the second edition of the Twenty20 extravaganza.Among pacers, the Daredevils will depend on exuberance of Indian youngsters Pradeep Sangwan, Yo Mahesh and Australian Dirk Nannes, while Super Kings will have the task entrusted on Manpreet Gony, Laxmipathi Balaji and all-rounders Flintoff and Morkel.And with spinners dominating the game so far, tomorrow's match would also be a clash between New Zealander Daniel Vettori and Sri Lankan Muttiah Muralitharan, both scalping three wickets in their last matches. Link..

Iran hits out at American troop surge in Afghanistan

Hillary Clinton heralded a promising new start to US co-operation with Iran yesterday despite a stinging attack by Tehran on President Obama’s Afghan troop surge.
The US Secretary of State found that the hand extended to Iran by President Obama was met with scorn for the extra US soldiers heading to Afghanistan but also with a pledge to co-operate against the scourge of drugs.
In a stark departure from the approach of the Bush Administration, Richard Holbrooke, the US envoy to Afghanistan, held a “cordial” meeting with the Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister in the margins of a UN summit in The Hague.
The 72-nation meeting on the future of Afghanistan was the latest staging post for the Obama Administration’s efforts to coax Iran back into the international community.

PCB: Sexual misconduct charge flying thick

Karachi: Pakistan Cricket Board women's wing chairperson, Shireen Javed has suspended a senior official who has in an audio recording accused her and Ayesha Ashar, the manager of the national women's team of making sexual advances towards team members.
In the audio recording released on You Tube, Azra Parveen, the consultant of the PCB women's wing, has alleged that Ayesha Ashar has a bad character and in the past has also been involved in illicit activities for which she was banned from the famous Kinnaird college in Lahore.

Obama invites Middle East heads

US officials say the leaders of Israel, Egypt and the Palestinians have been invited for talks in Washington in a new push for Middle East peace.
PM Benjamin Netanyahu, President Hosni Mubarak and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas have been asked to the White House for talks likely by early June.
The peace process has been beset by conflict and adversity which President Barack Obama has pledged to address.
There is no indication the Arab and Israeli leaders will meet directly.
Mr Obama's spokesman Robert Gibbs said the visits were likely to take place before the president's scheduled trip to France on 6 June.
"With each of them the president will discuss ways the United States can strengthen and deepen our partnerships with them, as well as the steps all parties must take to achieve peace between Israel and the Palestinians and Israel and the Arab states," Mr Gibbs told a news conference.
What we want to do is to step back from the abyss
President Barack Obama
He said the invitations had been extended after Mr Obama met Jordan's King Abdullah II at the White House on Tuesday.
Mr Obama has "invited other key partners in the effort to achieve a comprehensive peace in the Middle East to the White House in the coming weeks".
He added: "We are actively working to finalise dates for the visits."
Mr Obama's envoy George Mitchell has made several trips to the region, meeting Israel's recently installed prime minister, who Arab critics have characterised as an opponent of a negotiated peace settlement.
Speaking to reporters after talks with King Abdullah II, Mr Obama said there was "profound cynicism" surrounding the peace process.
"Unfortunately, right now what we've seen not just in Israel, but within the Palestinian territories, among the Arab states, worldwide, is a profound cynicism about the possibility of any progress being made whatsoever.
"What we want to do is to step back from the abyss, to say, as hard as it is, as difficult as it may be, the prospect of peace still exists, but it's going to require some hard choices."
He added that he hoped "gestures of good faith" would be made "on all sides" in the coming months, although he did not specify what those gestures would be.
The US supports a two-state solution, with Israel existing peacefully alongside a Palestinian state. Link..

Jacob Zuma gives way to taxis over World Cup in final South African election push

Jacob Zuma sings his trademark song Umshini wami during a taxi summit held in Johannesburg Photograph: STR/EPA
Jacob Zuma, expected to be elected president in tomorrow's South African elections, has yielded to the demands of a powerful union in a dispute that threatens to cripple next year's football World Cup.
The leader of the African National Congress (ANC) told taxi owners yesterday that he would agree to suspend a controversial plan to replace their vehicles with buses.
The taxis, in effect small minibuses, carry 50 million passengers per day. The owners object to a plan that would replace taxis with buses on designated routes in the centres of Johannesburg, Cape Town and Port Elizabeth.The buses are seen as a crucial part of South Africa's attempts to upgrade almost non-existent public transport in time to shuttle thousands of football fans around major cities in 2010.
The row over transport is one of several issues that could swing votes needed by the ANC to retain its two-thirds majority in parliament.
In a final push before polling day, Zuma appeared at a meeting of taxi drivers in Johannesburg and, after praising their role in the struggle against apartheid, pleaded for delegates to support the ANC.
Facing a voluble and potentially hostile reception, Zuma soon charmed his audience with flattery, amusing anecdotes spoken in Zulu and a rendition of his signature song, Umshini Wami ("Bring Me My Machine Gun"), accompanied by a pianist and trumpeter. Despite the taxi owners' anger at the government, they gave Zuma a standing ovation and held their fists aloft.
Jan Nkosi, 46, from Mafeking, said: "Jacob Zuma's speech was excellent but the people working with him are destroying us. We are worried about buses taking us out of business. There is a chance we will strike for the World Cup."
Commentators have suggested it was no coincidence that the taxi owners organised their summit or the eve of the elections. Jeremy Gordin, author of a biography of the presidential candidate, said: "The taxi industry is incredibly powerful and could bring this country to its knees. The owners are like mafia dons - most drivers carry guns.
"Zuma's response is to charm them and say let's talk some more. It was a classic example of the good and bad Zuma two days before the elections."
The stand-off is just one of several economic headaches facing the man who looks certain to be South Africa's next president. Millions of blacks still live in impoverished shantytowns, unemployment is around 30 per cent and the country has one of the highest rates of violent crime in the world.
The government has an affirmative-action programme to bring black people into a mainstream economy still dominated by white people. But critics argue that, while it made a few black businessmen wealthy, it has failed to help the poor.
Although once notorious areas such as Soweto now boast gleaming shopping malls, many people still live in townships lacking basic services.
Gordin added: "For many people the main issue is, 'Where do I get money to buy food today?' Basic service provision is a disaster in this country. The test for Zuma is whether he can fix it."
The poor and overcrowded township of Alexandra on the outskirts of Johannesburg was the scene of xenophobic violence last year, after rioters targeted and killed Zimbabwean immigrants. Some three million Zimbabweans have fled economic collapse to South Africa in the past decade, along with many other Africans desperately seeking work.
Ntabeni Nkutha Zwane, a resident of Alexandra, told the Reuters news agency yesterday: "My three points, first one is service delivery, second one, I expect job creation, and the third one, I expect our government to eliminate or reduce crime, our justice system should be stronger than before."
Zuma will be under pressure from union and communist backers to increase spending on the poor, while trying to placate foreign investors nervous about a shift to the left.
The economy shrank by 1.8 per cent in the final quarter of 2008. South Africa's close regulation of banks has saved its financial sector from the worst of the global credit crisis. But manufacturing output fell 15 per cent in February, a record year-on-year drop, having slumped by 12.9 per cent in the year to January, making the first recession in 17 years likely.
Falling global demand has placed thousands of jobs at risk in the labour-intensive manufacturing and car sectors. About 24,000 jobs are at risk in mining as the prices of most metals fall, adding to high unemployment and triggering strike warnings by unions.

Bluetooth 3.0 devices coming later this year

The new Bluetooth 3.0 standard boosts wireless data transfers between devices to 24Mbps from 3Mbps, said Michael Foley, executive director of the Bluetooth Special Interest Group, a group developing the standard. The Bluetooth 3.0 specification is an update from the Bluetooth 2.1 protocol, which was adopted by the group in 2007.Bluetooth is commonly used to pair mobile phones with wireless headsets for hands-free talking. It is also used to connect a mobile phone to a laptop to synchronise data or transfer multimedia files without using wires. Over 2 billion devices have shipped with Bluetooth built in, according to Bluetooth SIG. Tuesday's announcement is the first step in adoption of the standard, and devices based on the Bluetooth 3.0 specification could ship later this year or by early next year."We might see a handful [of devices] as early as this holiday season, but it usually takes 9 to 12 months post specification adoption to see products on the market," Foley said. The faster data transfers could lead to its adoption in a number consumer electronics devices beyond just mobile phones."We expect Bluetooth 3.0 to make its way into PCs, mobile phones, camcorders, cameras, TVs, digital presenters - devices that consumers use to transfer large data files like those of video, photographs and even entire music libraries," Foley said.The standard enables faster data transfers while using less power, giving consumers improved responsiveness and better battery life in mobile devices, Foley said. It also stabilises connections between devices, ironing out kinks from earlier standards when connections broke after a device like a cell phone was placed in the pocket.The Bluetooth 3.0 radio is based on Wi-Fi standards, which enables better data throughput while delivers power-saving benefits for mobile devices."Although the high speed radio itself can be more taxing on a battery than the classic Bluetooth radio - the high speed radio is also able to send data faster and can therefore be in use for a shorter period of time," Foley said.It uses short bursts of Wi-Fi to send data, after which the radio is shut off until it is needed again.

Mosquitoes could act as effective anti-malaria allies

Washington, Apr 22 (ANI): Scientists have found that our greatest allies in the fight against malaria may be the mosquitoes themselves.
The researchers found that mosquitoes have immune systems that actually kill 80 to 90 percent of the malaria parasites that enter the insect’’s bodies.
The discovery is part of an international effort to create a new generation of malaria treatments.
And researchers reckon that genetically modified, malaria-fighting mosquitoes or even antibodies injected into humans and “fed” back to mosquitoes, could someday be more effective at slowing the disease than today’’s simple mosquito nets.
As the populations of malaria-parasite are lower when inside mosquitoes, some experts believe that attacking malaria inside the insects—before it enters human hosts—is a more effective way to deal with the disease.
The plan could be brought to fruition only by understanding how the mosquito immune system fends off malaria.
Researchers have said that they have now worked out the mechanism that drives one of the mosquitoes” defences.
George Christophides, biologist at Imperial College London, who co-authored the report said that three proteins in mosquito blood form a complex that “binds to a malaria parasite and punches holes through its membrane,” which destroys the layer that protects the parasite and holds all its important parts together.
Earlier researchers had identified the three proteins and noticed that one of them seemed similar to microbe-killing proteins in other animals and in humans.
“But nobody had put the three together. Now we can show that there’’s a pathway in effect,” National Geographic News quoted Christophides as saying.
Researchers said that a mosquito-up approach to malaria control is feasible in the long term and there are a couple of ways it could work.
In one scenario, scientists could create genetically modified mosquitoes, granting their immune systems pumped-up malaria-killing abilities.
The other option would be to develop antibodies that can fight the parasites” early, mosquito-dwelling forms—and “feed” the antibodies to the insects via human blood.
However, getting to these paradigm-shifting malaria prevention techniques isn”t likely to be quick or easy.

Brahmdagh, India Worsening Conditions in Balochistan: Rehman Malik

ISLAMABAD: Interior Advisor Rehman Malik has said Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) is being aided by India and was founded with funding from the Soviet Union.
Prime Minister’s Interior Advisor in his policy statement in Senate said Brahmdagh Bugti and India have been involved in worsening conditions in Balochistan.
Rehman Malik narrated a statement of Brahmdagh Bugti to a private news channel in which he had call help from the United Nations, India and the United States.
He said the complaints of Balochs are soaring and called for steps to redress their complaints.
The Advisor said that all except one case, have been withdrawn against Herbiar and talks were underway with two sons of late Nawab Akbar Bugti to redress their complaints.
Rehman Malik told the Senate that on directives of President Zardari he held a meeting with Herbiar Marri in London to acquaint with his views.
Malik said he will hold an in-camera briefing for wo members from each party on the issue.

Cricket-Gayle leads Kolkata to victory over Punjab in IPL

DURBAN, South Africa, April 21 (Reuters) - Chris Gayle led the Kolkata Knight Riders to an 11-run win over the Kings XI Punjab in their Indian Premier League (IPL) match before rain washed out the day's second match at Kingsmead on Tuesday.
Gayle blasted his way to an unbeaten 44 off 26 balls with two fours and four sixes as Kolkata beat Punjab on the Duckworth/Lewis method.
In response to Punjab's 158 for six, Kolkata reached 79 for one after 9.2 overs, comfortably ahead of the required Duckworth/Lewis par score of 68, before rain forced the players from the field.
Persistent rain meant that the day's second scheduled match, between the Mumbai Indians and the Rajasthan Royals, was called off without a ball being bowled.
Gayle, who was dropped at midwicket by Karan Goel with his score on two, and Brendon McCullum got Kolkata's run chase off to an ideal start with a first-wicket stand of 57 runs off 37 balls before McCullum was caught behind by keeper Kumar Sangakkara off the bowling of seamer Vikramjeet Malik.
After being put in to bat by Kolkata under leaden skies, and on a pitch offering some seam movement, Punjab made a good fist of their innings with their total being built around blistering knocks of 32 runs off 17 balls from the left-handed Irfan Pathan and 38 runs off 28 balls from Yuvraj Singh.
Mahela Jayawardene gave his team some momentum towards the end of their innings as he ended not out on 31 off 19 balls which included scoring 14 runs off the last over of Punjab's innings.
Sourav Ganguly was Kolkata's most successful bowler as the medium pacer returned figures of two for 24 off four overs which included taking two wickets in three balls to reduce Punjab to 48 for three in the seventh over. Link..

Ahmadinejad dropped 'ambiguous' Holocaust reference from UN speech

Iran president's address that prompted walkout by European countries was deviation from prepared text

Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad during a press conference at the European headquarters of the UN in Geneva, Switzerland. Photograph: Laurent Gillieron/EPA
Iran's president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, dropped a controversial phrase casting doubt on the Holocaust from an address to a United Nations conference on racism, according to UN officials and Farsi interpreters.
An official Iranian text of Ahmadinejad's address to the conference on Monday referred to "the ambiguous and dubious question of the Holocaust". However, when the president delivered the speech he omitted the phrase, referring more vaguely to "abuse of the Holocaust". He also dropped a segment about Zionist "penetration" of western society.
It is not clear why he deviated from the prepared text, but Ahmadinejad took the podium at the conference following a meeting with the UN secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, who had urged against the use of divisive language.
However, the speech as delivered still contained the claim that Israel had been created by western "military aggression" after the second world war, "by using the pretext of Jewish sufferings and by abusing the Holocaust". He described Israel as "a completely racist regime" and "those racist perpetrators of genocide". He also suggested the 2003 Iraq invasion was planned "by the Zionists and their allies in the then US administration in complicity with the arms manufacturing companies and the owners of wealth".
The speech triggered a walkout by European countries, and a stern rebuke from Ban, who said Ahmadinejad had used the conference platform "to accuse, divide and even incite".
An English text was distributed after the speech by an Iranian official who described it as an accurate transcript. However, interpreters at the Geneva conference later confirmed some of the most offensive passages had been removed in the spoken text.
Among the excised sections was a claim that Zionists "have been able to deeply penetrate [western] political and economic structures, including their legislation, mass media, companies, financial systems, and their security and intelligence agencies". Link..

Obama offers Cuba 'new beginning'

President Barack Obama has said the US seeks a "new beginning" with Cuba and an "equal partnership" with all the nations of the Americas.

Mr Obama was addressing Latin American and Caribbean leaders at the Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago.
The summit follows a thaw in US-Cuban relations. Cuba is not at the summit.
Earlier, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton welcomed an offer for talks from Cuban President Raul Castro, saying the old US policy had failed.
Mr Castro said on Thursday that he was ready to talk about "everything" with the US, including human rights, political prisoners and freedom of the press.
His comments came after the US eased its long-standing embargo of the communist nation, allowing Cuban-Americans to visit relatives in Cuba and send money home more easily.

Call for change

Speaking to leaders gathered in Port of Spain, Mr Obama declared: "The US seeks a new beginning with Cuba."
"I know there is a longer journey that must be travelled to overcome decades of mistrust, but there are critical steps we can take toward a new day," he said.
We are continuing to look for productive ways forward because we view the present policy as having failed
Hillary Clinton
Cuba is excluded from the summit, which includes 34 members of the Organisation of American States (OAS), though Latin American leaders have been calling for the communist country to be readmitted.
The US has not maintained high-level diplomatic relations with Cuba since Fidel Castro led the island's revolution in 1960.
Washington imposed a trade embargo in the same year which has regularly been beefed up and backed by policies aimed at hastening the fall of the communist government.
Under former US President George W Bush, measures were put in place to support Cuban opposition and "hasten the end" of the Castro regime.
However, speaking on Friday in the Dominican Republic, Mrs Clinton acknowledged that US policy towards Cuba had "failed" and said Washington was "taking a very serious look at how to respond." Link..

Cricket move boost for South Africa

The second season of the Indian Premier League starts in South Africa on Saturday and the five-week tournament will feature many of the world's leading players who have been snapped up by the eight franchises.

The star-studded, multimillion-dollar IPL - which also carries a hint of Bollywood glamour - was moved to South Africa after concerns over security in India, because of a clash of dates with the general elections.
England had been an initial favourite to host the IPL, but worries about the weather and possible large tax demands have prompted the IPL to move the event to South Africa, which also hosts next year's Fifa World Cup football tournament.
Moving the IPL show to South Africa could help boost its economy, which shrank in the last quarter of 2008 for the first time in 10 years, and - like the UK - could be facing possible recession.
When IPL supremo Lalit Modi revealed in March that the tournament was leaving India he said that "anybody in a recession would want to have us".
It has been estimated that the IPL, British and Irish Lions rugby tour and Fifa Confederations Cup tournament this June could provide a $200m revenue boost for South Africa this summer.
Increased profile
The IPL season will feature 59 games running until 24 May, with the opening game in Cape Town.
Holding the IPL here is strengthening our entrepreneurial spirit
Grant Haskin, deputy mayor of Cape Town

Grant Haskin, deputy mayor of Cape Town, told the BBC: "There will be a favourable economic impact for Cape Town. We have not had a chance to measure it yet, because there has been such a short space of time between the announcement the IPL was coming here and the season starting.
"There is the obvious tourism angle - the IPL is bringing fans from across the globe and across the country to Cape Town and the other cricket venues."
Mr Haskin said the tournament would increase the media profile of Cape Town and South Africa across all of Asia - "not just India, but also places like China and Japan and other countries, from where we are getting a growing number of tourists.

The IPL cricket tournament gets under way in Cape Town
"As well as the immediate economic benefit coming from the cricket, it will also show the world that we can stage big international events without problems, and that will help with selling next year's soccer World Cup," he said.
"Sports fans and sportspeople will see that they can be safely looked after in South Africa.
"We have also managed to turn this around in a couple of weeks, so people can see that South Africa is capable of organising large international events."
Mr Haskin added that the various procurement processes around the IPL was giving valuable tendering experience to small up and coming businesses.
"Of course, not all of the tenders are successful, but it gives them experience in case they want to get involved with the 2010 World Cup. Holding the IPL here is strengthening our entrepreneurial spirit."
'Financial implications'
Tickets for the two double-headers in Cape Town this weekend sold out inside two hours.

The IPL is bringing "high class entertainment" to South Africa
As well as Cape Town, other South African cities hosting games are East London, Port Elizabeth, Durban, Bloemfontein, Kimberley, Johannesburg and Pretoria.
"Moving this tournament, with its considerable financial implications and huge global television audience, to South Africa in such a short space of time is yet another major indication of world confidence in us," said football World Cup chief executive Danny Jordaan.
"Some of the biggest cricket stars in the world will be here, showcasing again the world-class facilities of our country and love for high-quality entertainment."
Celebrity owners
The IPL has added its own brand of glitzy glamour to cricket, with players auctioned for dizzying sums and cheerleaders bringing glamour, US-style, to matches.

Shilpa Shetty of Rajasthan Royals and Preity Zinta of Kings XI Punjab
The Kolkata Knight Riders franchise is co-owned by Bollywood star Shahrukh Khan, Indian businessman Jai Mehta and his Bollywood actress wife, Juhi Chawla.
Other team owners include like Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani, alcohol baron and airline owner Vijay Mallya, and Bollywood star Preity Zinta.
Another Bollywood connection comes in the shape of actress Shilpa Shetty, well known to Big Brother viewers in the UK, and who owns 11% of Rajasthan Royals.
Millions of dollars in prize money are up for grabs, and team owners stumped up a total of $700m to purchase franchises from the Board of Control for Cricket in India.
The IPL renegotiated its $1.8 billion 10-year broadcast-rights deal with Sony-owned Multi Screen Media (MSM) and World Sports Group (WSG) last month.
IPL TEAM OWNERS
Mumbai Indians: $111.9m paid by industrialist Mukesh Ambani
Bangalore Royal Challengers: $111.6m paid by tycoon Vijay Mallya
Deccan Chargers: $107m paid by newspaper group Deccan Chronicle
Chennai Super Kings: $91m paid by BCCI secretary and businessman N Srinivasan
Delhi Daredevils: $84m paid by business group GMR Holdings
Kings XI Punjab: $76m paid by Bollywood star Preity Zinta and friends
Kolkata Knight Riders: $75m paid by Bollywood star Shahrukh Khan
Rajasthan Royals: $67m paid by Emerging Media Group, and 11% stake now owned by Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty
And for this season, "time-outs" are to be introduced in an attempt to squeeze in more television advertising.
The breaks have been designed to make even more money by selling airtime, and in total there are 118 two-and-half minute television advertising slots for sale.
Meanwhile, this week Wrigley India has agreed sponsorship deals with all the eight IPL teams for its Boomer and Orbit products.
And in a week of frenzied activity, IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals has agreed new sponsorship deals with IT company Tata Consultancy Services and cement manufacturer UltraTech.
TCS will become the Royals' official technology partner under a new three-year agreement. Ultratech will be the team's kit sponsor during the 2009 IPL season, replacing insurance company Bajaj Allianz.
'Build a brand'
Meanwhile, South Africa's economic gain has been India's loss.
The move to SA has left India's sports goods manufacturers disappointed, as they were expecting a boom in cricket equipments demand in the country.

IPL boss Lalit Modi says they can create a legacy in South Africa
Reports in India have also speculated that moving the tournament to South Africa will cost small firms, merchandising companies, local sponsors and entertainment companies up to 750m rupees (£10m).
And the loss from gate receipts is estimated at more than 500m rupees.
In addition, the Indian hospitality and travel industry could also lose an estimated 500m rupees, say industry sources.
However, as Lalit Modi says: "For us, South Africa was always suitable from a logistical and infrastructure point of view and it is our belief that we can build a brand and legacy of involvement that lasts for years to come." Link..

Aid for Pakistan in terror fight

The United States and Japan have each pledged $1bn (£671m) to Pakistan so far at an international donors conference.
The meeting, in Tokyo, is to help Pakistan stabilise its economy amid fears that financial woes could lead to increased support for militant groups.
About 40 countries and organisations are represented at the meeting.
The Japanese Prime Minister, Taro Aso, has said that ensuring stability in Pakistan is key in the fight against terrorism in the southwest Asia region.
Analysts have suggested that a total of up to $6bn might be pledged at the meeting.

We lose, you lose
Pakistan is home to militant groups, many in the lawless northwestern areas bordering Afghanistan.
"Without stability in Pakistan, there is no stability in Afghanistan either," Mr Aso said when opening the conference.
"Stability in border areas is a key and I want to stress that the international community supports comprehensive strategies by the two nations," he said.
Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari spoke of his fear that the world does not fully realise the extent of threats facing his country.

The donor conference is the first of its kind for Pakistan
"We are willing to fight. Despite the fact that I lost the mother of my children, I have taken up this challenge," said Mr Zardari, the widower of assassinated former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.
"I am hoping, and with all humility, asking of the world to help us fight this tremendous challenge, which not only do we face, but it doesn't end on my border," he said.
"If we lose, you lose. If we lose, the world loses," he said.

Down-payments
The donors' meeting is supported by the World Bank and attendees include China and Saudi Arabia.
The US pledge of $1bn was described as a down-payment on the previously announced $1.5bn already promised to Pakistan for each of the next five years.
Separately, a $7.6 billion bailout has been granted by the International Monetary Fund to avert the country's most recent balance-of-payments crisis.
But Pakistan has resisted international pressure to tax the small landowning elite where most political power resides.
Economic growth is expected to slow to between 2.5% and 3.5% for the year to June 2009, a rate considered too slow to find jobs for Pakistan's population of 170m. Link..

Mexico's high hopes for Obama visit

The other day, a Western diplomat based in Mexico City made a small confession to me.
"If only I knew the pain, heartbreak, and destruction which the drug trade caused," he said, "then I would never have smoked so much of the stuff at college".
It is tempting to see the dramatic change of attitude by the US administration towards Mexico's drug trade in similar terms.
For years the United States - although providing the consumers which have made Mexican drug-runners rich and selling most of the weapons which have made them such a formidable force - have not seemed to have seen the issue as a priority.
It was viewed as a problem that stopped on the southern side of the border.
All that crossed was a sufficient supply of cocaine, marijuana and methamphetamines - the experimental consumption of which is almost a rite of passage for many American students.

Let's hope that Obama and Calderon can energise the economy because it is affecting us too much
Mexican Juan Sanchez
But the brutal inter-cartel violence in Mexico, which has burst onto America TV screens over the last few months, seems to have had a profound effect on this administration.
Last month, as she travelled south from Washington to Mexico City, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton went to the back of the plane and made some surprising remarks to the journalists travelling with her.
"Our insatiable demand for illegal drugs fuels the drug trade," she said.
"Our inability to prevent weapons from being illegally smuggled across the border to arm these criminals causes the deaths of police officers, soldiers and civilians."
Never had a senior American government official described the role of the United States in the trade in such terms.
Recession worries
Those close to US President Barack Obama have stressed that the reason he is coming to Mexico City is to stress his support for President Felipe Calderon in his war on drugs.

Right now, the main thing for Americans, is America
Jose CaballoMexican businessman
Both governments talk of a new era of co-operation, of shared responsibility.
Drug violence has shocked Mexico. Gory images of murders and decapitations can be seen on the front covers of newspapers every day.
Many Mexicans despise that fact that a culture of organised crime pervades society. Kidnapping rates have soared.
But ask people in the capital what they hope from President Obama's visit and you get a reminder that there is a lot more to the US-Mexico relationship than drug cartels and weapons smuggling.
Most seem far more pre-occupied with another American export - the recession.
"Let's hope that Obama and Calderon can energise the economy because it is affecting us too much," said Juan Sanchez, as he breakfasted on tacos at a street market in the la Condesa neighbourhood.
Mexico sends 80% of its exports to the United States. Millions of Mexicans depend upon remittances from their relatives working in the US. The downturn is being felt here.
Jose Caballo runs one of the hundreds of small businesses in the capital which supply American auto manufacturers. His company makes plastic hub caps for Ford. Last year he had 70 employees. Now he has just 11.
"When things go well, maybe they will look again to Mexico," he says, standing in front of a dormant plastics moulding machine.
"But right now, the main thing for Americans, is America."
Not everyone looks set to suffer in Mexico's recession.
History has shown that drug consumption tends not to fall significantly in economic downturns.
"Drug traffickers can take advantage of the crisis," says Professor Jorge Chabat, from Mexico City's centre of research and teaching in economics.
"It is a good time for doing business if you have cash. And these guys have cash." Link..

Russia 'ends Chechnya operation'

Russia has ended its decade-long "counter-terrorism operation" against separatist rebels in the southern republic of Chechnya, officials say.
The move aimed "to create conditions to further normalise the situation", the National Anti-terrorist Committee said.
Russian forces have fought two wars in the mainly Muslim republic since 1994.
Moscow says Chechnya has stabilised under its pro-Kremlin President, Ramzan Kadyrov, but human rights groups accuse his militias of widespread abuses.
"We received the news about cancelling the counter-terrorism operation with great satisfaction," Mr Kadyrov told Russia's Interfax news agency on Thursday.
Now the Chechen Republic... is a peaceful, developing territory, and cancelling the counter-terrorism operation will only promote economic growth in the republic
Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov
"The leadership of Russia has officially confirmed the fact that the nest of terrorism has been crushed, that illegal armed groups have been neutralised, and militant leaders on whose conscience lay the grief and suffering of thousands of people have been destroyed, detained and brought to court."
"Now the Chechen Republic... is a peaceful, developing territory, and cancelling the counter-terrorism operation will only promote economic growth in the republic," he added.
Sporadic clashes persist in Chechnya, however, and violence continues in the neighbouring regions of Dagestan and Ingushetia.
Correspondents say Mr Kadyrov rules over Chechnya by fear. Human rights groups have documented allegations of kidnappings, torture and murder of the president's opponents.
Mr Kadyrov has dismissed such claims and denied any involvement.
Troop levels
In a statement on Thursday, Russia's National Anti-terrorist Committee said it had "cancelled the decree imposing an anti-terror operation on the territory of Chechnya, effective from midnight [2000 GMT on Wednesday]".
CHECHNYA KEY DATES

1991 USSR collapses, Chechen separatists declare independence
1994 Russia sends forces to crush independence movement
1996 Ceasefire called
1999 After explosions in Russia, Moscow sends troops back
2003 New constitution gives Chechnya more autonomy; Akhmad Kadyrov elected president
2004 Kadyrov killed by bomb
2005 Separatist leader Aslan Maskhadov killed by troops
2006 March - Ramzan Kadyrov, son of Akhmad, becomes PM
2006 July - Warlord Shamil Basayev, Russia's most wanted man, killed in Ingushetia
2007 Ramzan Kadyrov elected president by Chechen parliament
2009 Russia announces ended to "counter-terrorism operation"

"This decision aims to create conditions to further normalise the situation in the region, to restore and develop its economic and social infrastructure," it said.
The BBC's Richard Galpin in Moscow says the announcement is a moment of great symbolism, but that in fact relative stability was established some time ago.
The Chechen rebels who have been fighting for independence for their republic for 15 years have not been able to carry out any serious attacks since 2004, our correspondent says.
And while the rebels have been confined to the mountains, the capital Grozny, which once lay in ruins after two brutal wars, is now being rapidly rebuilt, he adds.
President Dmitry Medvedev ordered the end of the counter-terrorism operation after announcing last month that he believed the region was now stable enough to ease security restrictions.
These include curfews, road blocks, periodic searches by the security forces for suspected Islamist fighters, and relaxed detention rules.
"We must create new possibilities for investment and employment," Mr Medvedev said in a broadcast on state television in March.
Our correspondent says it is not clear how many Russian forces will still remain in Chechnya.
A source in the Russian interior ministry has said 5,000 of its troops would gradually pull out, but it is not yet clear how many regular soldiers will do the same, he adds.
War-ravaged republic
Chechnya declared independence from Russia in 1991.
Three years later the Kremlin sent in troops to restore its authority, sparking the first Chechen war, which ended in humiliating defeat for Russian forces in 1996.

Ramzan Kadyrov rose to power after the death of his father, Akhmad
In 1999, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin sent Russian troops back in, launching the "counter-terrorism operation" that has now been ended after 10 years.
The Kremlin pounded the rebels and gradually managed to persuade several powerful clan leaders to defect.
They included Akhmad Kadyrov, a senior Chechen religious leader, who later was elected president and declared his loyalty to Moscow.
He was killed in a bomb blast in October 2003, but was eventually followed by his son, Ramzan.

Obama to back Mexico's drugs war

US President Barack Obama is expected to express support for Mexico's war on drugs cartels when he flies into the country on Thursday.

Mr Obama is to hold wide-ranging talks with his Mexican counterpart, Felipe Calderon, on topics including the economy and cross-border smuggling.
Analysts say Mr Obama wants to show solidarity with Mr Calderon.
However, the BBC's Stephen Gibbs in Mexico City says most Mexicans are more concerned about reviving the economy.
Mexico sends 80% of its exports to the US and millions of Mexican families rely on remittances from relatives working north of the border, our correspondent says.
Regional summit
Mexico is the only stop for Mr Obama on his way to the Summit of the Americas, being held in Trinidad and Tobago.
Relations between the US and Mexico hit a low point earlier this year when a US military report said drugs-related violence was in danger of turning Mexico into a failed state.
Over the past two years, some 8,000 people have been killed as gangs battle for control of the lucrative drug trafficking routes into the US.
But President Obama's administration has since expressed solidarity with Mr Calderon who has sent hundreds of troops to regain control of the worst-affected areas.
During a visit to Mexico City in March, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that the US shared responsibility for the drugs problem.
She said America's "insatiable demand" for illegal drugs fuelled the trade and that the US had an "inability" to stop weapons from being smuggled south.
Mr Obama has sent hundreds of federal agents along with high-tech surveillance equipment and drug-sniffer dogs to help Mexico fight the cartels.
On Wednesday, the US placed three Mexican organisations on its list of suspected drug syndicates and Mr Obama also charged a senior official with stopping drugs-related violence crossing from Mexico into the US.
"This is something that we take very seriously, and we're going to continue to work on diligently," Mr Obama said last month.
Aside from combating the drugs menace, correspondents say Mr Obama and Mr Calderon are likely to discuss immigration reforms and ways of increasing trade between their countries.

India topple Australia from 2nd spot in ICC ranking

DUBAI: India achieved their highest rankings in the ICC ODI Championship table since its inception in 2002, toppling Australia from the second spot in the chart issued on Wednesday.With 122 rating points in their kitty, India is just a point ahead of Australia, while South Africa sits pretty at the top with 127 points.The Graeme Smith-led side's success in winning seven out of nine ODIs against Australia this year has consigned the four-time World Champions to their lowest ranking in the ICC ODI Championship table.Interestingly, out of a total of 79 months since the launch of the ICC ODI Championship table, Australia has held the top spot for 69 months, including 52 straight months from October 2002 to January 2007.However, despite trailing 1-3 against South Africa in the on-going five-match series, Ponting's men will regain their second spot from India if they manage to win the final ODI against the Proteas on Friday in Johannesburg. If Australia end their South Africa tour on a winning note, they will rise to 123 ratings points, one ahead of India and three behind South Africa.On the other hand, if South Africa win the match, they will finish the series on 128 ratings points, while Australia will head off to the United Arab Emirates to face Pakistan in a five-match ODI series in third place on 120 ratings points, trailing India by two.New Zealand occupy the fourth spot with 112 points, followed by Pakistan (111), England (108), Sri Lanka (105) and West Indies (92).

Nikon Hits the Sweet Spot With New D5000

The Nikon D5000 has the same sensor size as the Nikon D90 and D60 (though the megapixel count is higher on the D5000 and D90). An earlier version of this post stated that the sensor was larger.
If you’re considering an entry-level Nikon D.S.L.R., you might want to aim higher. The company has just announced the D5000, a model that bridges the gap between its popular D60 and D90 models by offering features like high-definition video capture, 11-point auto-focus, and Live View at a reasonable price of $849.

Those familiar with Nikon’s naming conventions will note the new four-digit numeric range. “The D5000 name is intentionally designed to set the camera apart,” says Steve B. Heiner, a senior technical manager for Nikon. “It’s not necessarily an entry-level D.S.L.R.—the price is a bit higher, and the features are more advanced. But even the most beginner photographer can use it and, at the same time, it’s also great for an advanced amateur.”
The D5000 will be sold as a kit with an 18mm to 55mm (equivalent) f/3.5-5.6G VR lens for $849. Nikon will also offer a two-lens kit that adds a 55mm to 200mm (equivalent) f/4-5.6 zoom lens for $1,100, or body-only for $729.
The D5000 is built upon the small chassis of the D60 (which costs approximately $600) but adds many of the finer attributes of the D90 (now selling for roughly $1,200, with lens). The 12.3-megapixel D5000 employs the same sensor as the D90, for instance, and it offers the same 11-point auto-focus system (the D60 has only three AF points). That means the D5000 will provide faster and more accurate auto-focus than the D60.
Perhaps the most attention-grabbing feature borrowed from the D90 is high-definition video capability. The D5000 can record video at 720p (1280×720 pixels at 24 frames per second), and video can be captured with image stabilization when using a Nikkor lens.
Unlike the D60, the D5000 includes Live View, which enables you to compose photos or video on the LCD (in addition to the viewfinder). The D5000’s Live View offers subject tracking auto-focus to automatically lock onto a moving subject. And its 2.7-inch swing-out LCD can be rotated and tilted for framing low- and high-angle shots—a feature that even the D90 doesn’t include.
The D5000 also packs a whopping 19 automatic scene modes (as compared with 5 on the D90) as well as several new in-camera editing features, including a soft filter effect to smooth out faces and a perspective control that enables users to correct distortions of up to 10 percent that often appear in architectural photographs.
And for geo-taggers, the D5000 is compatible with Nikon’s GP-1 GPS unit, which means you can add longitude and latitude data to images. (The GP-1 will set you back roughly $210, however.)
With features like these, why even consider the more expensive D90? “There are a couple of reasons,” says Heiner. “The D5000 cannot control multiple SpeedLights, and it lacks a depth-of-field preview capability, as well as the ability to accept an ancillary battery pack.”
Still, no matter how you look at it—either $350 less than the D90 or $250 more than the D60—the D5000 delivers the best of both models at a reasonable price. It’s definitely worth waiting a few weeks before you make a final buying decision. Link..

Karzai concerned over Obama’s new Afghan policy

KABUL: Afghan President Hamid Karzai reiterated on Tuesday his offer of talks to the Taliban leadership in Afghanistan.In an exclusive interview with Geo news, President Karzai said the Afghan government is willing to hold talks with the Taliban militants who detach themselves with Al- Qaeda. Karzai expressed his concerns over the new Afghan policy unveiled by Obama administration but said it could pay the way for peace in the region.To a question, Afghan President said the US administration should assist his government in country’s human resource development programs. He said his government supported the former US President Bush since he worked for the socio-economic development of Afghanistan.

Allied militants threaten Punjab: NY Times

NEW YORK: Taliban insurgents are teaming up with local militant groups to make inroads in Punjab, the province that is home to more than half of Pakistanis, reinvigorating an alliance that Pakistani and American authorities say poses a serious risk to the stability of the country. According to New York Times report, the deadly assault in March in Lahore, Punjab’s capital, against the Sri Lankan cricket team, and the bombing last fall of the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad, the national capital, were only the most spectacular examples of the joint campaign, they said. Now police officials, local residents and analysts warn that if the government does not take decisive action, these dusty, impoverished fringes of Punjab could be the next areas facing the insurgency. American intelligence and counterterrorism officials also said they viewed the developments with alarm. Telltale signs of creeping militancy abound in a belt of towns and villages near here that a reporter visited last week. Militants have gained strength considerably in the district of Dera Ghazi Khan, which is a gateway both to Taliban-controlled areas and the heart of Punjab, the police and local residents say. Many were terrified. In at least five towns in southern and western Punjab, including the midsize hub of Multan, barber shops, music stores and Internet cafes offensive to the militants’ strict interpretation of Islam have received threats. Traditional ceremonies that include drumming and dancing have been halted in some areas. Hard-line ideologues have addressed large crowds to push their idea of Islamic revolution. Sectarian attacks, dormant here since the 1990s, have erupted once again.At least 20 militants killed in American strikes in the tribal areas since last summer were Punjabi, according to people from the tribal areas and Pakistani officials. One Pakistani security official estimated that 5 percent to 10 percent of militants in the tribal regions could be Punjabi. The cooperation between the groups intensified greatly after the government’s siege of Islamic hard-liners at the Red Mosque in Islamabad, in mid-2007, Pakistani and American security officials say. The siege has since become a rallying cry.One such joint operation, an American security official said, was the Marriott bombing in Islamabad in September, which killed more than 50 people.

Sufi Mohammad urges Taliban to lay down arms

MINGORA: The chief of Tehreek-e-Nafaz-e-Shariat-e-Mohammadi (TNSM), Maulana Sufi Mohammad has termed the approval of Nizam-e-Adl regulation (NAR) a big success of provincial and federal governments.In an exclusive interview with Geo news correspondent, Mehboob Ali at TNSM central office, Maulana Sufi Mohammad said that the Taliban would lay down arms once the NAR was fully enforced. Sufi lauded the efforts of Awami National Party (ANP) government in the implementation of the NAR. The TNSM chief said that Dar-ul-Qaza (final appellate) would be set up at the earliest under the NAR which had already been constituted by NWFP governor and then the Qazis would be appointed in eight districts.Sufi said that the Taliban in Buner were local people and would return home after the implementation of Nizam-e-Adl regulation in its entirety. He said all the Qazis would be appointed from Aman Darah Bat Khela and soon a big public rally would be held in Malakand division to restore people’s confidence.

Phil Spector convicted of murder

US music producer Phil Spector has been convicted of murdering actress Lana Clarkson, after a five-month retrial.The 68-year-old, famous for the "Wall of Sound" recording technique, faces between 18 years and life in prison.He had pleaded not guilty to the second degree murder of 40-year-old Ms Clarkson, who was shot in the mouth at Spector's home in Los Angeles.Spector was remanded in custody until sentencing on 29 May. His lawyer has said he intends to appeal.Phil Spector's lawyer gives his reaction to the verdict."I don't think justice was done today," said lawyer Doron Weinberg.Spector had looked frail as he entered the Los Angeles Superior Court, dressed in a black suit with a bright red tie.The jury took some 30 hours of deliberation to reach their unanimous guilty verdict.As the verdict was read out, Spector remained quiet and his wife Rachelle sobbed.'Legal errors'The jury had the option of returning a verdict of involuntary manslaughter, but chose not do so.An earlier trial was abandoned in 2007 after a jury failed to reach a unanimous decision. Second degree murder falls between first degree murder, which requires proof of pre-meditation, and manslaughter.Speaking after the verdict, Mr Weinberg congratulated the jury on "trying to do the best honest job they could" with "complete integrity and complete honesty".But he said the jurors had been flooded with "improper and prejudicial evidence" which made it impossible for them to reach a fair conclusion.He said he was "very, very certain" that Spector had not been proved guilty "under the proper legal standard".Mr Weinberg said "the nature of the legal errors" made in the trial were "so significant and so clear that there is every likelihood that this case will be set aside on appeal".One of the jurors, speaking at a news conference after the trial, said the jury had a "complete picture" from the evidence.The unnamed woman said they had "gone through all the information and that's what the conclusion was". Link..

Kanye assault court case delayed

Kanye West will not face charges which followed a fracas with a photographer until May after his case was delayed.

His lawyer was granted a delay to enter his plea on assault, theft and vandalism charges during a brief court hearing in Los Angeles on Monday.
The hip-hop star was arrested at the city's airport days after performing at September's MTV Video Music Awards.
A video shot by the gossip website TMZ appeared to show Mr West, 31, smashing the flash of a photographer's camera.
The rapper, whose road manager was also charged over the 11 September incident, could face two and a half years in jail if convicted.
The video tape also appeared to show road manager Dan Crawley breaking the photographer's camera.
Mr West's attorney, Blair Berk, told the court that Monday was the first time she had been allowed to review the police report.

EC starts legal action on Phorm

The European Commission has started legal action against Britain over the online advertising technology Phorm.

It follows complaints to the EC over how the behavioural advertising service was tested on BT's broadband network without the consent of users.
Last year Britain had said it was happy Phorm conformed to European data laws.
But the commission has said Phorm "intercepted" user data without cleasr consent and the UK need to look again at its online privacy laws.
"Technologies like internet behavioural advertising can be useful for businesses and consumers but they must be used in a way that complies with EU rules," the EU's Telecoms Commissioner Viviane Reding said in a statement.
She added: "We have been following the Phorm case for some time and have concluded that there are problems in the way the UK has implemented parts of the EU rules on the confidentiality of communications."
It will in effect apply pressure to the information commissioner and the Home Office
Nicholas Bohm, FIPR
At the heart of the legal action by the EC is whether users have given their consent to have their data intercepted by the advertising system.

Surprise fall in US retail sales

US retail sales fell in March after two months of rises, tempering hopes that consumers are becoming more confident about the economy.

Sales fell by 1.1% from February, and by 9.4% compared with a year earlier. Many analysts had expected sales to increase after two months of rises.
Sales at electronics stores were hit hardest, falling by 5.9%. Car and auto parts dealers saw sales drop by 2.5%.
Producer prices also fell in March, by 1.2%, after two months of rises.
'Huge decline'
Driven by heavy discounting, retail sales had risen by 1% in January and by 0.3% in February.
The fact that Easter fell in March last year but in April this year also affected the figures, as the traditional boost in Easter spending was not reflected in the figures.
"We were expecting improvement and we got a huge decline. The report was weak across the board," said Jacob Oubina at Forex.com.
"This throws some cold water on the idea that we're carving out a bottom," he added.
Last week, figures released by the International Council of Shopping Centers showed sales for March fell by 2.1% from a year earlier, while a number of top US retailers reported smaller-than-expected falls in sales.
Falling energy and food prices were the main reason for the fall in producer prices. In fact, excluding these two sectors, prices remained unchanged.
Energy prices fell by 5.5% in the month, while food prices dropped by 0.7%.
The official sales estimates were released by the US Commerce Department. The producer price figures were released by the The Labor Department.

Warrants for Thai protest leaders

Thai authorities have issued arrest warrants for 13 protest leaders and the man the protesters support, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
The group had been charged with inciting a public disturbance and illegal assembly, the warrant said.
The protests have shut down large parts of the capital, Bangkok, for the last three weeks. Clashes on Monday left two people dead and dozens of others hurt.
But on Tuesday, as troops massed, the protesters called off their action.
Overnight the army hemmed in several thousand activists around Government House.
More soldiers then moved in, prompting the protest leaders to call on their remaining followers to go home to avoid further bloodshed.
I'm sad we've not received justice but if we'd have stayed we would have been in danger
Kannika Saikaew Protester.
The protesters support former leader Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted by the military in a 2006 coup.
They want the current government, under Prime Minster Abhisit Vejjajiva, to step down and fresh elections to be called.
Mr Thaksin has been living in overseas exile for much of the last three years. Last year a Thai court convicted him in absentia of corruption.

Iran declares major breakthroughs in nuclear drive

TEHRAN: Iran declared on Thursday major advances in its controversial atomic drive as President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad opened a nuclear fuel plant and announced the testing of two high capacity centrifuges.Ahmadinejad's announcements at a function in Isfahan province marking national nuclear day are likely to trigger fresh concerns among world powers, who fear Iran's nuclear programme is aimed at making atomic weapons, but Washington's first reactions were skeptical.Tehran insists its programme is for peaceful purposes only.Ahmadinejad said Iran has notched up two achievements -- the manufacture of nuclear fuel and "testing of two kinds of new centrifuges having greater capacity (to enrich uranium) than the existing ones."He was speaking after cutting the ribbon at the fuel facility in Isfahan, which the Mehr news agency said can produce 10 tonnes of nuclear fuel annually to feed the heavy water 40-megawatt Arak reactor and 30 tonnes for light water reactors such as the Bushehr nuclear plant.