Clinton faces Pakistani anger at Predator attacks

Updated at: 2235 PST, Friday, October 30, 2009
ISLAMABAD: U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton came face-to-face Friday with Pakistani anger over U.S. aerial drone attacks in tribal areas along the Afghan border, a strategy that U.S. officials say has succeeded in killing key terrorist leaders.

In a series of public appearances on the final day of a three-day visit marked by blunt talk, Clinton refused to discuss the subject, which involves highly classified CIA operations. She would say only that "there is a war going on," and the Obama administration is committed to helping Pakistan defeat the insurgents and terrorists who threaten the stability of a nuclear-armed nation.

Clinton said she could not comment on "any particular tactic or technology" used in the war against extremist groups in the area.

The use of Predator drone aircraft, armed with guided missiles, is credited by U.S. officials with eliminating a growing number of senior terrorist group leaders this year who had used the tribal lands of Pakistan as a haven beyond the reach of U.S. ground forces in Afghanistan.

During an interview broadcast live in Pakistan with several prominent female TV anchors, before a predominantly female audience of several hundred, one member of the audience said the Predator attacks amount to "executions without trial" for those killed.

Another asked Clinton how she would define terrorism.

"Is it the killing of people in drone attacks?" she asked. That woman then asked if Clinton considers drone attacks and bombings like the one that killed more than 100 civilians in the city of Peshawar earlier this week to both be acts of terrorism.

"No, I do not," Clinton replied.

Earlier, in a give-and-take with about a dozen residents of the tribal region, one man alluded obliquely to the drone attacks, saying he had heard that in the United States, aircraft are not allowed to take off after 11 p.m., to avoid irritating the population.

"That is the sort of peace we want for our people," he said through an interpreter.

The same man told Clinton that the Obama administration should rely more on wisdom and less on firepower to achieve its aims in Pakistan.

"Your presence in the region is not good for peace," he said, referring to the U.S. military, "because it gives rise to frustration and irritation among the people of this region." At another point he told Clinton, "Please forgive me, but I would like to say we've been fighting your war."

A similar point was made by Sana Bucha of Geo TV during the live broadcast interview.

"It is not our war," she told Clinton. "It is your war." She drew a burst of applause when she added, "You had one 9/11. We are having daily 9/11s in Pakistan."

Capturing a feeling that Clinton heard expressed numerous times during her visit, one woman in the audience said, "The whole world thinks we are terrorists." The woman said she was from the South Waziristan area where the Pakistani army is engaged in pitched battles with Taliban and affiliated extremist elements — and where U.S. drones have struck with deadly effect many times.

The Pakistani army said Friday its forces had killed 14 militants in 24 hours and were closing in on a prominent insurgent stronghold as its offensive in the remote region continued.

Clinton's main message on Friday was that the U.S. wants to be a partner with Pakistan, not just on the military front but also on trade, education, energy and other sectors. She stressed, however, that Pakistan needs to do its part in demonstrating a real commitment to democracy.

Clinton also was asked about her remark on Thursday that she found it hard to believe that Pakistani officials don't know where leaders of terrorist groups are hiding in Pakistan.

On Friday she took a bit of the edge off that comment, saying, "I don't know if anyone knows, but we in the United States would very much like to see the end of the al-Qaida leadership, and our best information is that they are somewhere in Pakistan."

In an interview broadcast Friday on ABC's "Good Morning America," Clinton was asked about the bluntness of her remarks.

"Trust is a two-way street. There is trust deficit," she said. "It will not be sufficient to achieve the level of security that Pakistanis deserve if we don't go after those who are still threatening not only Pakistan, but Afghanistan, and the rest of the world. And we wanted to put that on the table. And I think it was important that we did."

Asked if she thought Pakistan was harboring terrorists, Clinton replied, "I don't think they are. ... But I think it would be a missed opportunity and a lack of recognition of the full extent of the threat, if they did not realize that any safe haven anywhere for terrorists threatens them, threatens us, and has to be addressed."

Later Clinton was to fly to Abu Dhabi in the Persian Gulf for a meeting Saturday with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Ogra proposes Rs2 hike in petroleum products

Updated at: 2029 PST, Friday, October 30, 2009
ISLAMABAD: Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) suggested 12 paisa to Rs2 to be added to the prices of petroleum products from November 1st to November 30, Geo News reported Friday.

The sources told Geo News that petrol price was proposed to go up by 50 paisa, hi-speed diesel by 12 paisa and kerosene oil was suggested to go up by 70 paisa.

According to the preliminary suggestion by the Ogra, the hike in price of light speed diesel has been shown to go up by Rs1.70/lit and hi-octane price has been shown to soar by Rs2/lit.

The Oil and Gas Ministry would send the summary of the Ogra to Finance Ministry. Then, the PM would be apprised of this summary.

The prices of petroleum products would be determined by October 31.

Maqam reveals NRO stipulated 5-year term for Musharraf

Updated at: 2253 PST, Friday, October 30, 2009
ISLAMABAD: Former state minister and Pakistan Muslim League (PML-Q) president in NWFP Engineer Ameer Maqam Friday revealed that it was decided in a deal entered with Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) under the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) that former President Gen (rtd) Pervez Musharraf would remain president for the next five years and Benazir Bhutto would be the premier of the country.

Talking to Geo News, he said under the NRO deal, Musharraf will ascend to the presidency as the civilian president for the next five years and Benazir Bhutto was decided to become the Prime Minister.

Responding a question, Maqam said he made the reservations over the NRO known to the president, saying, ‘NRO would be your most grossest blunder.’

The PML-Q leader said the NRO was passed by overruling the proceedings in National Assembly’s Standing Committee; however, its apprehensions were not addressed and removed.

Mona Lisa unveiled largest than ever

Updated at: 1704 PST, Thursday, October 29, 2009
LONDON: The world record-breaking attempt to produce the largest ever reproduction of the Mona Lisa went on display at Eagles Meadow shopping centre in Wrexham, Wales on Wednesday 28th October.

Members from the entire community have come together to create their own version of the famous Leonardo da Vinci painting that covers a massive 240 square metres: that’s the size of 24 double-decker buses! Hundreds of people were involved, including school children from Victoria Primary School and members of the Haulfan Centre, which offers a wide range of activities for people with disabilities, have given hours of their time to help artist Katy Webster complete the mammoth task.

The work will be on show at Eagles Meadow for one day only. Shoppers will not only have the chance to scrutinise every detail of Mona Lisa’s famous expression up close, but will also be able to touch the giant piece, made up of 82 different vinyl squares.

Hope House, a charity that provides for terminally ill children through specialist care, family support and fundraising events, will be benefiting from this labour of love, with those donating to the charity able to own their own small piece of record-breaking history. This is a great cause; with the money raised going straight back into the local community to improve the lives of both patients and their families at Hope House, which Holly Willoughby is patron of.

Eagles Meadow Manager Kevin Critchley came up with the idea to involve community groups in an exciting art project. “Our Mona Lisa has a lot of advantages over the original. It’s a lot bigger so she is much easier to see, admirers will not have to queue to make her acquaintance, there isn’t any entry charge to Eagles Meadow, and unlike the version in Paris you will be able to touch her!”

Nawaz for Pakistan’s help in terror war

Updated at: 1809 PST, Thursday, October 29, 2009
LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League-N Chief Nawaz Sharif, during his meeting with visiting US secretary of state Hillary Clinton here on Thursday, urged the US to redress reservations of Pakistani people, as well as political parties and other sections of society.

Nawaz Sharif said Pakistan is in a state of war, so the entire world including the US should come forward in extending financial assistance.

During views were exchanged on matters including the country’s situation, the ongoing war on terror and Kerry-Lugar Bill.

The PML-N Chief said Pakistan nation has legitimate reservations on KL Bill. “Pakistan holds sovereignty and integrity as its dearest assets,” he added.

Hillary Clinton on the occasion said the US wants elimination of terrorism and in order achieve this goal it will extend all out support to Pakistan.

She said peace in South Asia is essential for the entire world.

US Special Envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke, US ambassador Anne W. Patterson, Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif and Ishaq Dar were present on the occasion.

US economy is growing once again

The US economy grew at an annual pace of 3.5% between July and September, its first expansion in more than a year, official data has shown.
Analysts say the growth was helped by the "cash for clunkers" car scrappage scheme, and the fear is growth will now fall after this ended in August.
The US economy was also lifted by President Obama's $787bn (£480bn) economic stimulus plan.
But with unemployment still high, the ongoing recovery is set to be slow.
Global good news
The economic growth between July and September indicates that the US has likely exited a recession that first started in December 2007.
However, the official confirmation still has to come from the National Bureau of Economic Research, the agency which considers a number of factors in coming to its decision.
The US economy last expanded in the second quarter of 2008, when it grew 2.4%.
BBC chief economics correspondent Hugh Pym said the 3.5% annualised growth rate was more than the 3.3% expected by most commentators.
"The sheer scale of the stimulus in the US has made a big difference, it was much bigger in percentage terms than that in the UK," he said.
"That the US, the powerhouse of the world economy is growing once again, is good news for the global economy has a whole."
Numerous boosts
The figures from the Commerce Department showed that a number of factors helped to lift the economy during the third quarter.
Spending on durable manufactured products soared at an annualised rate of 22.3%, the highest quarterly amount since 2001, led primarily by the impact of the cash for clunkers scheme lifting car sales.
The housing market also improved, with spending on housing products up 23.4%, its largest quarterly jump in 23 years.
Analysts said this big leap was sparked by the government's $8,000 tax credit for first-time house buyers.
Meanwhile, total government spending was up 7.9%, as the wider stimulus spending continued to take effect.
In addition, exports were also up strongly, increasing 21.4%, the biggest rise since 1996.
"It's good to have the economy growing again," said Brian Bethune, economist at IHS Global Insight.
"But we don't think that rate of growth is sustainable because it is distorted by all the government stimulus.
"The challenge here is to get organic growth - growth that isn't helped by fiscal steroids."
Analysts cautious about the slow nature of the US economic recovery point to the fact that the unemployment rate currently stands at 9.8%, and that the labour market traditionally lags behind any wider economic recovery.
They also highlight the fact that the big car firms have already reported a sharp fall in September sales following the conclusion of the popular $3bn cash for clunkers scheme at the end of August.
"You can say that the recession is over, but it sure won't feel like that," said Dean Baker, co-director of the Centre for Economic Policy Research.
"There is a lot of downward momentum that isn't going to go."

UN chief condemns Kabul killings

N Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has condemned as "shocking and shameless" a Taliban raid which killed at least five UN workers in the Afghan capital Kabul.
But Mr Ban said the UN would not be deterred from its mission there.
Three Afghans also died when suicide bombers stormed a UN guesthouse in the city. The three attackers were killed in a long battle with security forces.
The Taliban said the attack was the first step in its bid to disrupt next week's presidential run-off election.
In a separate attack, rockets were fired at the city's five-star Serena Hotel, but no-one was injured.

25 more extremists killed: ISPR

SLAMABAD: Pakistani troops massed outside a key Taliban base and killed 25 militants, fighting back in a major tribal belt offensive after a devastating market bomb attack, the military said Wednesday.

The latest death toll brings to 264 the total number of insurgents reported to have been killed since the operation was launched in the rugged tribal terrain of South Waziristan on October 17.

No information provided by the army can be verified, however, as communication lines are down and access to the area on the wild Afghan border is banned to journalists and aid workers.

"Security forces have surrounded Kanigurram from three sides," military spokesman Major General Athar Abbas told a news conference.

The town was considered the "operational centre" of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), he said. It was a major terror stronghold and an important base for Uzbek fighters in the area, he added.

Abbas also said troops were within four kilometres (2.5 miles) of another major Taliban hub, Sararogha, which lies to the east.

The military spokesman condemned Wednesday's carnage in the northwestern city of Peshawar where a bomb killed 92 people in a crowded market frequented mostly by women. "This cowardly act shows their desperation," he said.

Despite the attack, which was apparently calculated to exact maximum casualties, Abbas insisted the militants were on the defensive as troops were making steady gains into TTP territory.

"Their leadership is on the run," he said, claiming that 25 training centres and nine caves had been recently destroyed.

Around 30,000 troops are taking part in the offensive against an estimated 10-12,000 militants in the semi-autonomous and lawless tribal belt. Relief workers say more than 200,000 people have been displaced by the fighting.

Numerous previous offensives in the tribal belt have had limited success, costing the lives of 2,000 troops and ending generally with peace agreements that critics say gave the insurgents a chance to re-arm.

Clinton Pak visit not vital: Elahi

LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League (PML-Q) leader Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi Wednesday said the meeting between the two big personalities were held to please US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and was meant to give message that they have turned into ‘tame kids’.

Talking to media after offering condolences to former Cricket team captain Wasim Akram on the demise of his wife, he said he sees no importance for Hillary Clinton’s Pakistan visit.

Condemning the Peshawar blast which claimed over 85 lives, he said it is inefficient of the rulers that schools have to be closed down today.

Peshawar blast toll mounts to 94

PESHAWAR: The total death toll from Peshawar blast has mounted to 90 while rescue sources say that more people could still be buried under the debris. Over 150 people sustained injuries in the blast.

Hospital sources have confirmed that 160 were brought there, and a list of 136 of these injured has been made visible inside the hospital premises.

According to details, the powerful blast occurred at Peepal Mandi ripped near Meena Bazar, Peshawar. The explosion triggered fire in nearby shops while an old building came to ground with the heavy impact which also caused damage to other surrounding buildings.

Most of the buildings in the area had already been declared to be in poor condition.

AIG Bomb Disposal Unit Shafqatullah Malik said that explosives, weighing 150 kilograms, were planted in a vehicle.

DCO Peshawar Sahibzada Anees has confirmed 87 deaths in the tragic incident while the hospital sources confirmed 89 people dead, majority of them are women and children.

Condition of many injured is said to be serious and the toll is feared to rise further.

Senior NWFP Minister Bashir Ahmed Bilour reiterated the commitment to bringing the terrorists to justice.

President Asif Ali Zardari has expressed profound grief over the loss of innocent lives in Peshawar bomb blast, while denouncing the incident, Prime Minister (PM) Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani directed concerned officials to provide the injured with all the possible medical relief. NWFP Chief Minister (CM), Amir Hyder Khan Hoti has ordered inquiry of the blast.

Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) Quaid Mian Nawaz Sharif, CM Punjab Shehbaz Sharif, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Quaid Altaf Hussain, Governor Punjab Salman Taseer, Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Qamar Zaman Kaira, NWFP CM Amir Hyder Hoti, Governor NWFP Owais Ahmed Ghani, CM Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Governor Sindh Dr Ishrat-ul-Ibad, CM Balochistan Aslam Raisani, Governor Balochistan Zulfiqar Magsi, Federal Ministers Farooq Sattar and Babar Ghauri, Amir Jamaat-e-Islami Syed Munawar Hassan and Qazi Husain Ahmed strongly condemned the blast.

Pakistan 'takes key Taliban town'

akistani troops have captured the key Taliban town of Kotkai in South Waziristan, security officials say.
Troops took the town after days of bombardments, officials said. Three soldiers and four Taliban were reported killed in the fighting overnight.
Kotkai, home to top Taliban leader Hakimullah Mehsud, has seen fierce fighting since Pakistan launched its South Waziristan offensive last week.
Journalists are being denied access to the area and cannot verify the reports.
Up to 100,000 civilians have fled the conflict zone, the army says.South Waziristan is considered to be the main sanctuary for Islamic militants outside Afghanistan.
Pakistan launched its offensive after a wave of militant attacks, believed to have been orchestrated from South Waziristan, killed more than 150 people.
'Breakthrough'
Pakistani troops - backed by artillery, helicopters and fighter jets - were reported to have briefly taken control of Kotkai in the course of fighting earlier this week.
But on Tuesday morning the Taliban hit back, destroying army checkpoints and killing seven soldiers, local officials said.However Pakistan's army subsequently said it had secured the tactically important heights around Kotkai.
On Saturday, AFP quoted an official as saying: "Security forces took control of Kotkai overnight and a clearance operation is in progress.
"It is a major breakthrough because it was the stronghold of Taliban and hometown of Hakimullah Mehsud and Qari Hussain," he added, referring to a reputed trainer of suicide bombers.
The BBC's Mark Dummett, in Islamabad, says the fighting is now expected to move into more remote and mountainous areas, as the army continues its drive deeper into this militant stronghold.
Meanwhile, at least 13 people were reported to have been killed by a US drone missile strike targeting a Taliban commander's house in the tribal region of Bajaur.
Officials said the strike had hit the house of Maulvi Faqir in Damadola village.

Afghan bombs kill eight US troops

Eight US soldiers have been killed in bomb attacks in southern Afghanistan, say Nato-led forces.
An Afghan civilian was also killed in what were called "multiple complex IED attacks" - or improvised bombs.
The deaths make October the deadliest month for American forces in the eight-year war in Afghanistan.
On Monday 11 soldiers were among 14 Americans killed in multiple air crashes. In total 55 US troops have died in October, the Pentagon says.
Like many deaths in Afghanistan, Tuesday's bloodshed was blamed on the improvised explosive devices (IEDs) that pose the biggest threat to foreign forces operating in the country.


Adam Brookes, BBC News, Washington

The news of eight more casualties in Afghanistan comes at a time when President Obama is pondering what to do next in Afghanistan.
Americans are still waiting to hear whether the president is planning to increase troop levels. And this incident will contribute to the perception that the situation there is deteriorating, not improving.
The use of improvised explosive devices in these attacks seems to be part of a trend towards fewer conventional direct-fire engagements and more guerrilla-style attacks. It looks like these tactics are migrating from Iraq to Afghanistan, where we are seeing the Taliban increasingly using roadside bombs to attack coalition forces.
"Additionally, several service members were wounded in these incidents and were transported to a regional medical facility for treatment," said a statement from the International Security Assistance Force (Isaf).
Military spokesmen said there had been two attacks in the south of the country - one which killed seven soldiers and the civilian, and a second attack that killed one soldier.
But few other details were given, pending the notification of the soldiers' next of kin.
The sharp increase in the US death toll in Afghanistan comes amid a review of policy in Afghanistan by US President Barack Obama.
He is under pressure to reinforce the US military presence by tens of thousands of US troops - but many Americans are likely to oppose such a course in light of October's succession of deadly incidents, says the BBC's Andrew North, in Afghanistan.
The attacks also come amid heightened tension in Afghanistan in the run-up to the second round of a presidential election marred by widespread fraud in favour of incumbent President Hamid Karzai.

Five die as Majorca block tumbles

At least five people died when a residential building collapsed overnight in Majorca's capital Palma, in the Spanish Balearic Islands.
The three-storey structure, said to be at least 50 years old, collapsed at about 0030 (2230 GMT on Sunday).
Rescuers are searching for more people who are unaccounted for, and believed to be in the rubble. Four others were injured in the collapse, two seriously.
The local gas supplier has ruled out a gas leak as a possible cause.
There is nothing to indicate that Britons or other foreigners are among the dead.

Saudi sex TV producer spared lash

The Saudi king has waived a sentence of flogging on a female journalist working for a TV channel which aired graphic accounts of sex in the kingdom.
King Abdullah cancelled the sentence of 60 lashes against Rozanna al-Yami, after being briefed on the case.
The programme broadcast by Saudi-owned Lebanese channel LBC caused a huge scandal in the conservative kingdom.
Three men who bragged about their sexual adventures in the show, as well as the cameraman, have been jailed.
No reason has been given for the king's decision. It is the second time he has intervened in a high-profile flogging sentence in two years.
The original programme was part of a series called Red Lines, examining taboos in the Arab world, including extra-marital sex in Saudi Arabia.
Mazen Abdul Jawad provoked outrage by describing his techniques for meeting and having sex with Saudi women.
He has apologised and claimed LBC tricked him, but he was jailed for five years and sentenced to 1,000 lashes.
Three of his friends who appeared on the show got two years each and the cameraman was jailed for two months.
The station's offices in Saudi Arabia were closed down and two of its producers - both female - put on trial.
LBC has made no comment about the cases.

Turkish PM for joint struggle to stamp out terrorism

Updated at: 1723 PST, Monday, October 26, 2009
ISLAMABAD: Turkish prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan Monday stressed the need for putting up a joint struggle against the scourge of terrorism and extremism.

Delivering a historic address to the joint session of Pakistani Parliament, the Turkish PM said Turkey understands the challenges and problems being faced by the people of Pakistan. “Turkey stands with Pakistan in the war against terror,” the Turkish PM said.

The Turkish PM’s speech at the joint session of the Parliament is a first ever address made by any foreign diplomat.

Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani, senior military officials including Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and members of parliament attended today’s session.

The first lady of Turkey was also present along with the Turkish diplomats.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto was not only the great leader of Pakistan but also of the entire world. When Ms Bhutto was assassinated on December 27, 2007, the members of Turkish parliament representing all the political parties of the country expressed grief, he added.

He described the relations shared between Pakistan and Turkey as extraordinary.

“Pakistan holds a special place in the hearts of Turkish people right from the day the former became independent 62 years ago,” the Turkish PM said, adding “the Turkish people still remember the freedom movement spearheaded by Jauhar brothers.”

Zardari-Nawaz meet at Presidency

Updated at: 1956 PST, Monday, October 26, 2009
ISLAMABAD: The meeting between President Asif Ali Zardari and Pakistan Muslim League-N Chief Nawaz Sharif has begun here at the Presidency.

Nawaz Sharif is accompanied by Raja Zafar-ul-Haq, Mamnoon Hussain, Javed Hashmi, Ishaq Dar, Ghaus Ali Shah and Iqbal Zafar Jhagra while Farhatullah Babar, Khursheed Shah, Raja Pervez Ashraf, Raza Rabbani, Makhdoom Amin Fahim and Qamar Zaman Kaira are attending the meeting from President’s side.

Both the leaders had last met on July 17 this year in Raiwind.

Afghan crashes kill 14 Americans

At least 14 Americans have been killed in a series of air crashes in Afghanistan, military officials say.

Four US soldiers died and two were hurt when two helicopters collided mid-air in the south, Nato-led forces said.

In a separate helicopter crash, in western Badghis province, seven US soldiers and three US civilians died.

The US said hostile fire was not believed to be to blame for either incident, but the Taliban said it was behind the Badghis crash.

Taliban spokesman Qari Yusuf Ahmedi told the AFP news agency militants had shot down the US helicopter in the Darabam district of the province.

Another 12 Americans and 14 Afghans were also reported to have been injured in that crash.

Col Wayne Shanks, a spokesman for the Nato-led force in Afghanistan, said the authorities were still investigating the incident in Badghis, but "do not believe that enemy action was responsible".

He said the crash happened as troops were carrying out a successful anti-drugs trafficking operation in which 14 "enemy fighters" were killed.

The exact location of the crash in the south of the country has not been confirmed by the US military.

This year has seen the highest death toll of international troops in Afghanistan since the Taliban were overthrown in 2001.

There have been dozens of American soldiers among those killed, making up more than half the total foreign troop deaths in the country.

The worst single loss of US life in Afghanistan occurred in June 2005, when a Chinook helicopter was shot down in eastern Kunar province, killing 16 military personnel.

US issues new policy on medical marijuana

The Obama administration will not seek to arrest medical marijuana users and suppliers as long as they conform to state laws, under new policy guidelines to be sent to federal prosecutors today.

Two Justice Department officials described the new policy to the Associated Press, saying prosecutors will be told it is not a good use of their time to arrest people who use or provide medical marijuana in strict compliance with state laws.

The new policy is a significant departure from the Bush administration, which insisted it would continue to enforce federal antipot laws regardless of state codes.

Fourteen states allow some use of marijuana for medical purposes: Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.

California is unique for the presence of dispensaries – businesses that sell marijuana and even advertise their services.

Attorney General Eric Holder said in March that he wanted federal law enforcement officials to pursue those who violate both federal and state law, but it has not been clear how that goal would be put into practice.

A 3-page memo spelling out the policy is expected to be sent today to federal prosecutors in the 14 states, and also to top officials at the FBI and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

The memo, the officials said, emphasizes that prosecutors have wide discretion in choosing which cases to pursue, and says it is not a good use of federal manpower to prosecute those who are without a doubt in compliance with state law.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the legal guidance before it is issued.

At the same time, the officials said, the government will still prosecute those who use medical marijuana as a cover for other illegal activity. The memo particularly warns that some suspects may hide drug dealing or other crimes behind a medical marijuana business.

The memo, officials said, is designed to give a sense of prosecutorial priorities to US attorneys in the states that allow medical marijuana.

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NRO became inevitable due to pending cases: Musharraf

Updated at: 1552 PST, Sunday, October 25, 2009
NEW JERSEY: Former President Pervez Musharraf said National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) had become inevitable since judiciary did not decide the corruption cases against Benazir Bhutto and other leaders.

Talking to Pak American Cultural Society in New Jersey, US Sunday, Musharraf said Pakistan is a country highly rich with talent and resources; however failure of leadership has brought up the current crisis faced by the nation.

“I did neither make any deal to leave Pakistan, nor will stay out of country any longer, but will go back home very soon”, he said.

“I will expect justice, if Supreme Court (SC) proceeds any case against me”, Musharraf added.

90 killed, 600 injured in Baghdad twin suicide attacks

Updated at: 1649 PST, Sunday, October 25, 2009
BAGHDAD: At least 90 people were killed and more than 600 wounded in twin suicide attacks, one a truck bomb and the other a car bomb, in central Baghdad on Sunday.

The two blasts shook buildings and smoke billowed from the area in central Baghdad near the Tigris River. The first blast targeted the justice ministry and the second, minutes later, was aimed at the provincial government building, police said.

The blasts were so powerful that buildings around the area were shaken and being severely damaged while several cars were destroyed.

Several people died on the spot in these blasts and more deaths are feared as many persons are seriously injured.

Today’s suicide attack was bloodiest attack in the capital for two months.

Earlier on August 19, some 100 people were killed in a suicide truck bomb explosion while the electricity system was also severely damaged.

Balochistan Education Minister Shafique shot down

Updated at: 2027 PST, Sunday, October 25, 2009
QUETTA: Balochistan Education Minister Shafique Ahmed was killed in firing incident by some unidentified miscreants; also, his relative was injured in the incident, Geo News reported Sunday.

Shafique Ahmed died on the spot in front of his house, where he was shot down in the head, as he was heading for his residence after getting down from his vehicle.

The attacker has been said to be aged around 45.

Hidayatullah Jafar, who is close relative of the deceased, was injured, as he received a bullet in his thigh.

Shafique Ahmed Khan belonged to Pakistan People’s Party (PPP).

According to police sources, the deceased received no previous threats of any sort.

Baghdad blasts 'kill at least 38'

At least 38 people have been killed and 75 wounded in two car bomb attacks in central Baghdad, reports say.
The blasts hit the ministry of justice and another government building near the Green Zone, causing severe damage.
They came in quick succession at 1030 local time (0730 GMT), and were followed by sporadic gunfire.
Correspondents say these are largest attacks since 19 August, when truck bombs hit two ministry buildings and killed at least 100 people.
Iraq then blamed foreign fighters and accused Syria of involvement, demanding a UN investigation.

Protesters demand UK withdrawal from Afghanistan

Updated at: 0828 PST, Sunday, October 25, 2009
LONDON: Protesters marched through London on Saturday to demand a British military withdrawal from Afghanistan -- among them a serving soldier facing court martial for refusing a second tour of duty there.

Police said "around 5,000" people took part in the demonstration from Hyde Park to Trafalgar Square, while a spokesman for organisers Stop The War Coalition put the figure at 10,000.

Among those on the march was Lance Corporal Joe Glenton, 27, a member of the Royal Logistics Corps who has served in Afghanistan before, but now is facing a court martial for refusing to return.

"It is distressing to disobey orders, but when Britain follows America in continuing to wage war against one of the world's poorest countries I feel I have no choice," he said in a statement issued before the protest.

Britain has 9,000 troops in Afghanistan as part of an international coalition following the US-led invasion in 2001. Most are deployed in southern Helmand province, battling Taliban insurgents.

So far 222 British personnel have died in the Afghan operation.

Ten days ago Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced plans to send an extra 500 troops to Afghanistan, on condition that Kabul show a greater commitment to the effort and that NATO allies step up their contributions.

But an opinion poll released Saturday suggested falling public confidence in the mission, with 48 percent saying British troops cannot defeat the Taliban, up from 36 percent in August 2007.

Taliban expand Pakistan war to sabotage offensive

Updated at: 1059 PST, Sunday, October 25, 2009
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan may be claiming early successes but Taliban guerrillas who confound the military time and again are likely to defy the army's pledge to write them off, outsmarting them in their homeland.

After eight days of painstaking advance, siege and bombing, the military hailed the first major gain of its latest ground offensive -- the capture of Kotkai, the hometown of Pakistan Taliban chief Hakimullah Mehsud.

Troops overran Kotkai, in South Waziristan, on two previous occasions only to retreat after signing the kind of peace deals that Western critics have savaged for granting sanctuary to Al-Qaeda-linked militants.

Witnesses among more than 120,000 civilians displaced by the conflict speak of heavy bombing and long-distance artillery, tactics that maximise collateral damage and undercut modern counter-insurgency doctrine.

While the army says more than 160 militants and 23 troops have been killed, it is impossible to assess the advance, resistance or casualties -- civilian or otherwise -- because the area is cut off to journalists and aid workers.

Washington, which has grown increasingly alarmed at the security situation in nuclear-armed Pakistan, has praised the operation whose progress is likely to feature heavily in a looming visit by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Regional envoy Richard Holbrooke said the United States was "very impressed with the Pakistani resolve" but cautioned it was too early to assess.

"We know where the troops are going; they're in the early phase. But it'll take a while before we know whether the enemy they're fighting has been dispersed or destroyed or some mixture of the two," he told reporters.

In an early acknowledgement of difficulties, commanders said the offensive, originally earmarked for six to eight weeks, could drag into the desperately cold winter because of landmines and the forbidding terrain.

Security officials said troops are advancing carefully, capturing strategic heights and roads, guarding their rear and protecting their flanks but that the Taliban have yet to mount stiff resistance.

Akram's wife dies at the age of 42

Updated at: 1351 PST, Sunday, October 25, 2009
CHENNAI: Huma, the wife of former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram, has died in a hospital in Chennai on Sunday after developing heart and kidney complications.

According to sources, she was admitted to the Apollo Hospital last Tuesday after her condition deteriorated on board an air ambulance flying from Lahore to Singapore, where she was due to be treated.

Huma, 42, is survived by two sons, and arrangements are underway to fly her body back to Pakistan, hospital sources said.

Ijaz Butt, the PCB chairman, also expressed his grief over the demise.

"We are with Wasim and his family at this hour of need and pray to God to give them strength to bear this great and irreparable loss," he said.

A trained medical practitioner herself, Huma had a brief stint as psychologist of the Pakistan team in the mid 1990s.

Supply of edibles, cash cards among SWA affectees

DI KHAN/TANK: The supply of food items and cash cards among displaced persons of South Waziristan is underway in Dera Ismail Khan and Tank.

Important link roads have been reopened for traffic for access to safe places from the conflict-affected areas.

Lt. Col. of Special Support Group Imdad Hussain told Geo News that over 2,700 cash cards were prepared. Of these, 500 were distributed among SWA affectees in Dera Ismail Khan. The rest of the cards are also being distributed.

The affectees will receive Rs5,000 per month through smart cards.

Op. Rah-e-Nijat: Security forces take control of Kotkai

WANA: Security forces have taken control of Kotkai – the native village of Taliban Chief Hakeemullah Mehsud, whereas 13 extremists were also killed in the clashed Saturday.

According to reports, security forces were advancing toward Kotkai – the village of banned outfit Tehreek-e-Taliban Chief Hakeemullah Mehsud and Qari Husain, who is allegedly known as a recruiter of suicide bombers.

The security forces took control of the region previous night.

During the operation security forces had to face stiff resistance on part of the extremists and 13 militants were killed in the clashes.

3 killed, 2 injured in Bajaur helicopter crash

Updated at: 2048 PST, Saturday, October 24, 2009

BAJAUR AGENCY: Three persons are killed and 2 others injured when an MI-17 helicopter crashed in Bajaur Agency.The army helicopter MI-17 crashed in Tehsil Nawagai. Three persons on board were killed and 2 others injured, sources said.

NWFP schools to remain closed for another week

Updated at: 1827 PST, Saturday, October 24, 2009
PESHAWAR: NWFP Government has decided to keep the schools closed for another week in the backdrop of deteriorating law and order situation.

In a statement issued by NWFP’s Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, it has been notified that the schools will remain closed till November 1.

Initially the schools in NWFP including Peshwar were closed down from October 21 to 25. This period has now been extended till November 1.

Punjab will decide about reopening of schools in the province by tonight.

Nobel Prize for Good Will (America)

Just like Goodwill Ambassadors who stand for international organizations and propagate their activities, especially philanthropic ones, the Nobel committee surprised us by granting the American president, Barrack Obama, the Nobel Peace Prize not for his accomplishments, but for the good deeds he has vowed to do!

More often than not, the awarding of this very prize is liable to cause arguments, especially if it involves various political factors. However, Obama’s winning is the most controversial in the history of this prize, which dates back to 1901. But what was the reaction of journalists who attended the conference where the winner of the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize was announced? They just stood agape! And, supposedly, this is the feeling shared by everyone from one end of the globe to the other, including Obama himself, who said he did not deserve it.

At the writing of this article, sarcastic criticism has not ceased, to the extent that some dubbed the prize the “Nobel Prize for Talk,” alluding to the speeches and vows Obama has made since he was inaugurated on January 20, 2009, and has not yet achieved. And that is damnably true.

During his electoral campaign, Obama promised to pull back his troops from Iraq, close the “ill-famed” Guantanamo detention camp, extend dialogue bridges to the Islamic world, defuse the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and make gains in the so-called “war on terror” in Afghanistan. However, nothing of the sort was carried out before he was announced the Nobel laureate.

It is beyond any shadow of doubt that Obama has created a new universal situation. He is the first president ever who depends on public relations on such a broad basis. Even before he became president, Obama went from being an ordinary candidate for the American presidency to being a universal character. And, like movie stars, he was friendly enough to reach out to everyone!

Obama might be serious about changing the way the world sees his country. He is keen on proliferating unprecedented waves of universal peace. He adopts the language of diplomacy rather than war. Yet, he has forwarded nothing realistic, except for a heap of good intentions. That is why he may be called the “Nobel Ambassador for Good Will!”

India concerned over safety of Pak's nuclear installations

ndia has expressed concern about the security of the Pakistan's nuclear arsenal after militants struck near a nuclear facility in Kamra in Punjab province on Friday.

Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao said on Friday that India hoped Pakistan government would take steps to ensure its nuclear weapons do not fall into the hands of militants.

The statement holds significance in the wake of an attack near a nuclear facility in the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex within the cantonment in Kamra in Punjab on Friday, which killed seven people. The terrorists struck near a nuclear facility in Pakistan for the fourth time since 2007.

Apart from the Karma blast, a bus carrying a marriage party was also blown up in a landmine explosion near Mohmand Agency. Several women and children are among the dead in the incident.

Hours before the bus blast, at least 10 people were injured in a bomb attack outside a restaurant in the northwestern city of Peshawar.

Immunisation (Immunization)

What is immunisation?
Immunisation is a technique that allows us to protect both children and adults from harmful infections that they may come into contact with, which may otherwise produce serious illness or even death. To 'immunise' someone means to produce in someone the ability to fight off an infection. This can be done through giving vaccinations, which are usually in the form of an injection.
Why is immunisation important?
Immunisation is a very important part of disease prevention. By immunising as many people as possible in the population, we can help reduce the number of people who will become infected, and reduce the spread of any infections that do occur. So far, immunisation programs in Australia have been very successful. Largely thanks to these programs, deaths from diseases like diphtheria, Haemophilus influenzae type b infection and measles are now rare in Australia; and poliomyelitis (polio) is virtually unknown in the developed world. The process of immunisation usually begins in childhood (see the article on childhood immunisations for more information), but it is important to keep up to date with vaccinations throughout adult life to make sure you stay protected.
How does immunisation work?
Immunisation is actually a natural process which happens almost every time we are exposed to a new bug such as a virus or bacteria. It explains why a second infection of a bug is much less likely to cause disease than the first infection. (For example, once a person has had one attack of chicken pox, they are much less likely to develop the disease again.) This happens because of the way our immune system works. The first time the immune system is exposed to a bug, it reacts slowly, and can take a long time to clear the bug from the body. The second time it is exposed, though, it recognises the bug much faster and can clear it much more efficiently, before the disease has a chance to develop or become serious. We can make this process of immunisation happen artificially by giving someone a modified or killed version of the bug in a 'vaccine'. Their system will recognise and respond to the modified version in the same way it would to a natural infection - but without getting sick. Then, if the person ever comes into contact with the real bug in the community, their body will be able to make a rapid response to it, clearing the bug away before the disease has a chance to develop or become serious.
What is in vaccines?
Vaccines may contain either a modified (weakened) version of a live virus, a small dose of killed bacteria or part of the bacteria, or even a small dose of a weakened toxin produced by bacteria. They may also contain small amounts of preservative, antibiotic, or aluminium salt, which help keep the vaccine stable over time and help it work better. Examples of vaccines which contain a modified version of a live virus include the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, and the varicella (chicken pox) vaccine. These vaccines are very effective at achieving long-lasting immunity to the diseases, because they produce a strong immune response. Vaccines which contain killed bacteria or viruses, or parts of the bacteria, are usually not quite as effective as the modified live vaccines. This is because the immune response they produce is not as strong. These vaccines will often require several doses over a period of time, or 'booster' doses throughout life, to maintain adequate immunity.
What are the risks of vaccination?
Overall, the risks associated with vaccinations given in Australia are very small compared to the dangers of the diseases they protect against. Because vaccinations are designed to produce an immune response in your body, it is not uncommon to experience some mild side-effects after a dose is given. These might include a mild fever, rash, or pain and swelling at the injection site. Paracetamol may be used to reduce fever and soreness. Rarely, more serious problems do occur following an immunisation. Allergic reactions to part of a vaccine may be life-threatening. In addition, some live attenuated (modified) vaccines do carry a very small risk of the vaccinated person developing the illness. Though childhood vaccinations such as the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine have occasionally been linked to development of conditions such as autism and asthma, extensive research has failed to find any connection.
Are there some people who can't receive vaccinations?
A person should not receive a vaccine if they have:
A history of anaphylaxis (a severe allergic reaction) after a previous dose of the vaccine; or
Known anaphylactic sensitivity to a component of the vaccine, indicating that a severe allergic reaction would be likely.
In addition, vaccines containing modified 'live' viruses should generally not be given if:
A person's immune system is suppressed, either due to a disease or a medication they are taking; or
A woman is pregnant.
What vaccinations are recommended for adults in Australia?
The vaccination schedule described below is that funded and recommended by the Australian Government for older Australians:
Any Australian aged 65 years and older should receive a yearly influenza (flu) vaccine;
Any Australian aged 65 years and older should receive one dose of the pneumococcal polysaccharide (23vPPV) vaccine if they are not already immune, or one booster dose if they have been vaccinated before;
Any Australian aged 50 years and over who has not received a booster dose of the adult diphtheria-tetanus (ADT) vaccine in the last 10 years should receive a booster;
In people who have missed some or all of their childhood vaccines, 'catch-up' vaccinations against diseases such as varicella (chicken pox) may be needed if they are at risk of infection;
Occasionally, vaccinations against other diseases (such as hepatitis A and hepatitis B), may be offered to patients with medical, occupational, travel or other reasons.
The Influenza (flu) Vaccine
Influenza (the flu) is a viral illness transmitted from person to person by respiratory droplets, such as in a cough or sneeze. It may produce a wide range of symptoms, from mild respiratory illness to pneumonia or even death. Some people are at increased risk of developing a serious illness with the flu. Risk factors include being elderly; having a chronic medical condition like heart disease, lung disease, or diabetes; pregnancy; and smoking. There are many different 'strains' of influenza virus in existence, and immunity against one strain of the virus will not always protect you against a different strain. A new influenza vaccine is developed and distributed every year to protect specifically against a number (usually three) of the strains of influenza virus that are expected to be common in the community that year. To be protected, you need to receive the flu vaccination every year. Even if you received a vaccination the previous year, it will not be effective against the strains of the virus expected in the current year. Receiving the flu vaccine will not protect you against every strain of the flu virus; nor will it protect you from the common cold (this is caused by a different kind of virus for which there is no vaccine). The flu vaccine is one injection, usually given into the muscle of your upper arm. It is generally given in the autumn months, in anticipation of flu outbreaks in winter. It is recommended that the following people receive the influenza vaccination every year:
Any person aged 65 years and over;
Any Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander over 50 years;
Any person over the age of 6 years who is at increased risk of infection or complication due to underlying medical illness or immunosuppression;
Residents of nursing homes and other care facilities;
Health care workers and other contacts of high-risk patients.
In addition, many workplaces in Australia provide influenza vaccinations for their staff. Any person who wishes to receive a flu vaccine but is not listed above can request one from their doctor. Side effects of the influenza vaccine are usually mild, and may include soreness at the vaccination site, fever, or muscle aches and pains.

The Pneumococcal Vaccine
Pneumococcal disease refers to disease caused by the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae. In adults, this is usually a pneumonia (lung infection), but it may also cause meningitis. It is particularly dangerous for people who have underlying lung disease, and in smokers. The adult pneumococcal vaccine (the pneumococcal polysaccharide (23vPPV) vaccine) protects against the 23 most common subtypes of pneumococcal infection encountered in Australia. It is given as a single injection, usually into the upper arm. The adult pneumococcal vaccine is recommended for:
Any person aged 65 years and older;
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 50 years and over;
Any person over the age of 5 years who is at increased risk of infection or complication due to underlying medical illness or immunosuppression, or people who do not have a spleen.
Revaccination ('booster' doses) should not be given within 3 years of the last dose, but may be required 5 to 10 years after the first dose if a person is still at increased risk of developing the disease. Up to half the adults who receive the pneumococcal vaccine experience some pain and swelling at the injection site. Mild fever is also possible. Booster doses are slightly more likely to produce pain and swelling at the injection site than the first dose.
Special groups
Children
For information about childhood immunisation schedules, see the article on childhood immunisation.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Respiratory diseases are a major cause of preventable sickness and even death in Australian Indigenous communities. As a result, the Australian Government recommends and funds some additional vaccinations for Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander people. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people between the ages of 15 and 49 years who are at increased risk of infection and/or serious complications, for example because they have heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, asthma, drink excessive amounts of alcohol or smoke tobacco should receive:
Annual influenza vaccination; and
A booster dose of pneumococcal polysaccharide (23vPPV) vaccination, given either 5 years after their first dose, or 10 years after re-vaccination
All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are 50 years and over should receive:
Annual influenza vaccination; and
A single booster dose of pneumococcal polysaccharide (23vPPV) vaccine, 5 years after their first dose.
Pregnant women
Vaccination is generally avoided during pregnancy, though there is little evidence to suggest that any vaccine in regular use in Australia will cause harm to the baby if given to a pregnant woman. Occasionally, however, a pregnant woman will be exposed to an infection where the risk of developing the infection will be greater than the risk of vaccination, and in this case the vaccine should be used. In other cases, changing travel plans can eliminate the risk of exposure and therefore remove the need for vaccination. Another exception to the rule is the influenza (flu) vaccine, which is recommended for pregnant women when they are at increased risk of infection for any reason, or when they are expected to be in their second or third trimester during 'flu season'.

Reference
Braunwald, Fauci, Kasper, Hauser, Longo, Jameson. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 16th Edition. McGraw-Hill. 2005.
Hibberd, PL. 'Approach to immunizations in healthy adults' [online] UpToDate, 2005.
NHMRC, 'The Australian Immunisation Handbook' [online]. Department of Health and Ageing. 2003. Available at: http://www9.health.gov.au/immhandbook/ (last accessed: 29/7/06)
Peakman M, Vergani D. Basic and Clinical Immunology. Sydney: Churchill Livingstone, 2002.
Robinson, M.J., Roberton, D.M. Practical Paediatrics (fifth edition). Sydney: Churchill Livingstone, 2003.

High-level meeting stresses enhanced cooperation among LEAs

ISLAMABAD: A high-level meeting held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani decided to enhance cooperation among law enforcement agencies and improve operational capability of police, CID and special branch.

Senior military leadership and heads of law enforcement agencies participated in the meeting at PM Secretariat.

Chief ministers of Sindh, Balochistan and NWFP, advisor to Chief Minister Punjab, federal ministers besides Army Chief, DG ISI, head of FC, IGs police and provincial chief secretaries were present.

The meeting took stock of the security measures being adopted across the country, the wave of terrorism and the ongoing operation against terrorists.

The participants reiterated their resolve to root out terrorism by employing all the available resources, sources told Geo News.

It was decided during meeting that the Army will provide training to the police commandoes and equip them with modern weapons.

Decision was also made to release Rs2.5 billion for the relief and support of the displaced persons of Waziristan.

The military representatives gave detailed briefing on Waziristan operation while the Interior Ministry briefed the participants on the overall law and order situation.

Man, wife, two siblings dead in Islamabad accident

Updated at: 2139 PST, Friday, October 23, 2009
ISLAMABAD : Man and his wife and their two siblings lost their lives when a dumper fell on their car off Shakriyal area off Islamabad, Geo News reported Friday.

The couple was riding the ill-fated car along with their three siblings. The third injured child has been brought to PIMS Hospital.

The driver and another man on the dumper fled the scene as soon as the accident happened

Obama’s Balance Wobbles

First Things First. We may have underestimated the significance of yesterday’s discussions between Iran and the “5+1″ power when we wrote (1640 GMT), “The Iranians have achieved their primary objective, which is to avoid an immediate condemnation and the threat of sanctions from a “breakdown” of today’s discussions.”

The biggest signal of a breakthrough at the talks was not the declaration, from all sides, that Iran would invite the International Atomic Energy Agency to visit the second enrichment facility at Qom “in the next couple of weeks” (1715 GMT). That was always the likely Iranian concession to “the West”: contrary to the exaggerations in the US and British media, Qom is not that significant a plant, serving at this point as potential back-up to the main enrichment site at Natanz. So Tehran can accept inspections, provided its sovereignty is also maintained in an agreement, with the assurance that there’s nothing illegal to be seen at the second facility.

No, here was the white smoke of a larger deal: “the Western media continues to miss the announcement, enthusiastically proclaimed by Press TV, that officials from Iran and the “5+1″ powers will have technical talks on 18 October on ‘third-party enrichment’” (1935 GMT). A couple of hours later, McClatchy News Service put out the news:

Iran agreed in principle at high-level talks here to ship most of its enriched uranium to Russia, where it would be refined for exclusively peaceful uses, in what Western diplomats called a significant, but interim measure, to ease concerns over its nuclear development.

Under the tentative deal reached here, Iran would ship what a U.S. official said was “most” of its approximately 3.300 pounds of low-enriched uranium to Russia where it would be further refined. French technicians would then fabricate it into fuel rods and return it to Tehran, to insert into a nuclear research reactor that is used to make isotopes for nuclear medicine.

This morning, The New York Times headlines, “Iran Agrees to Send Enriched Uranium to Russia”, and The Washington Post also picks up on the development. Perhaps most importantly, President Obama slipped the news into his statement last night, “Taking the step of transferring its low-enriched uranium to a third country would be a step towards building confidence that Iran’s program is in fact peaceful.”

Of course, this is far from a done deal. The head of Iran’s delegation, Saeed Jalili, was cautious when he appeared on CNN last night, saying that the matter would not have to be discussed by the “experts” in the IAEA, rather than the 5+1 Powers. Press TV’s website, in contrast to the network’s excited declaration of the technical talks on 18 October, is now silent on the matter.

Yet make no mistake. At this point the outcome is a victory for the Ahmadinejad Government. A week ago, President Obama, flanked by the British and French leaders, was loudly declaring that the US would be punishing Iran economically if Tehran did not concede on the “secret nuclear plant”. The White House scrambled last night to keep the stick on the table, with Obama putting out boilerplate warnings, Talk is not substitute for action. Pledges of cooperation must be fulfilled….Our patience is not unlimited.” An official added the specific caution to The New York Times, “[This] would represent a major accomplishment for the West, reducing Iran’s ability to make a nuclear weapon quickly and buying more time for negotiations to bear fruit. If Iran has secret stockpiles of enriched uranium, however, the accomplishment would be hollow.”

Now, however, that stick would have to be waved in the face of not one but two tracks of conversations. There are the technical talks, and there is the next meeting of the 5+1 powers with Iran, flagged up for the end of October. So, unless the US is prepared to pull the plug suddenly on both processes (or unless the Iranian Government is foolish enough to abandon the discussions), there is no pretext for further sanctions before the end of the year, even if Tehran draws out the talks with the IAEA over access to the second enrichment facility.

And even then, Washington’s stick has been a limp one. Juan Cole enthuses this morning, “Barack Obama pwned Bush-Cheney in one day, and got more concessions from Iran in 7 1/2 hours than the former administration got in 8 years of saber-rattling,” but the Obama Administration probably could have had the same result that it got yesterday had it kept its collective mouth shut last week. Instead, the President and his advisors raised the stakes with threats and then found, in the 72 hours leading up to Geneva, that they could not deliver if necessary: neither Russia nor China was on board, and the European Union as well as the IAEA signalled their preference for genuine discussions.

This alone would be excellent reward for Tehran, but President Ahmadinejad’s victory — and this will be the unnoticed side-effect of the discussions — is even greater. For over the last week, the “Western” powers have given him the legitimacy for which he has struggled at home. Have no doubt: the President and his advisors will be proclaiming loudly that they have defended Iran’s sovereignty, upheld the rights of other peoples with their insistence on discussion on wider political and economic issues, and forced the US, Britain, and France to back down. Last night Jalili was already denouncing the “media terrorism” which tried to humiliate Iran and refusing to acknowledge a question from an Israeli reporter.

In other words — I doubt you can find many non-Iranian commentators who will note this, although The Guardian has noted somewhat clumsily, ”An Islamic regime involved in rape…is more of an issue in Tehran than the nuclear one” — the Geneva discussions were the second theatre for the Ahmadinejad Government. What it needed, even more than the disappearance of the sanctions threat and space for its nuclear programme, was the drama and spectacle of recognition to take back home.

The President and his advisors may have been playing to the Western galleries, but they recognise that the primary theatre is still at home. So now the question arises: can the regime use the nuclear talks to push aside the challenges to its authority or will other issues — detentions, abuses, Constitutional manipulations — now return to centre stage?

10 Ways to Stay Looking Young By Kathy Burns-Millyard

If you're worried about the effects of aging, and you want to do everything you can to remain looking as young as possible for as long as possible, here are some great tips that will help.

1. Eat healthy foods. Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, make sure you get plenty of fiber, and avoid sugary foods and simple carbohydrates.

2. Keep your body healthy. Be sure to get plenty of exercise, so that your muscles stay toned, sleak, and sexy.

3. Be sure you're getting enough of the right vitamins. All of the antioxidants are most important for keeping your skin looking much younger and healthier. So be sure to get plenty of vitamin A., vitamin C, and vitamin E. from either supplements or your food.

4. Protect your skin from direct sunlight. Strong direct sunlight can help damage your skin and cause it to wrinkle much faster than normal. This damage and wrinkly will cause you to look much older than you actually are. If you really enjoy being out in the sun, be sure to use strong sunblock lotions.

5. Avoid being out in the sun during the primary times of the day. If you're out in the sun between about 10 in the morning and three in the afternoon, your skin will receive much more damage than it does if you are out of the sun and the earlier mornings or later afternoon. Staying indoors during the sunniest parts of the day will help protect your skin for much longer.

6. Wear protective clothing when you're outside. It may seem contradictory to wear long sleeved shirts when you're out in the heat of the sun, but those long sleeves will help protect the skin on your arms which will allow it to continue looking younger for much longer.

7. Don't smoke cigarettes, or quit smoking if you currently do. Some studies suggest that cigarette smoking can damage your skin and make it age prematurely.

8. Use gentle cleansers when you're cleaning your skin. Strong and harsh so can actually dry your skin and make a crack. Also try to avoid any additives to your soaps and lotions, such as perfumes and dyes which can also be harmful to the skin.

9. Keep your skin moist by using gentle moisturizers regularly. Keeping your skin moist will help it avoid drying out and cracking, and the moisturizers also leave it very supple and sexy looking which is usually associated with younger skin.

10. Remove your unwanted hair carefully, and gently. Shaving usually does not have to be gone on a daily basis, but when you do shave frequently you run the risk of causing more damage to your skin. If you use a razor, the gentle so that you don't cut yourself. And if you use creams and lotions that remove hair, be aware of what type of chemicals are contained in those products.

Black Water (American) in Pakistan ; Is That True ?

Black Water is in Pakistan, and what it stands for was first divulged by TPS back in October 2008. It is world’s biggest, richest, deadliest and most powerful mercenary army, which operates from United States of America and even the world’s sole super power hasn’t got any tangible control over this army, though Black Water always acts as sidekick for the US armies around the globe.

Black Water hires retired army-men and villains and criminals from around the world. Especially they target the poor countries in Asia and Africa for the fodder. They act as NGOs and welfare organization in poor countries and recruit people in the name of sending them to the land of dreams; the USA. They also reach first to the areas where earthquakes and floods strike, and pickup the strong helpless men and give them “jobs.”

Black Water now operates under the name of “Xe”. After Black Water name became so notorious with respect to the Iraq war, the company president Gary Jackson changed the name. Black Water or Xe is based in the U.S. state of North Carolina, Xe operates a tactical training facility which the company claims is the world’s largest, and at which the company trains more than 40,000 people a year, mostly from U.S. or foreign military and police services. The training consists of military offensive and defensive operations, as well as smaller scale personal security. That’s only a cover, and the workings of this covert organization comprises of all the dirty and murderous acts.

Iraq is just one example. Black Water recruited the Iraqi men and used them against the Iraqi people. Iraqis are very well of this evil outfit and in Fluja city they killed the Black Water personnel who were working in the garb of food contractors and hung their corpses along with the banks of Euphrates. Now the media in Pakistan is reporting that Black Water has well established itself in the country, especially in the Peshawar and Islamabad.

Orya Maqbool Jan of Express News wrote in is column that University Town in Peshawar is the headquarter of Black Water in Pakistan. He also claims that Black Water people can been frequently seen in the area guarding vehicles and people, clad in black suits and black glasses. He also says that the biggest embassy of America in Islamabad having thousands of employees is just another Black Water plan. He also says that Black Water is operating in Pakistan under the cover of a NGO Creative Associates.

If that is true, then what exactly is the purpose and objective of Black Water in Pakistan? What they are guarding or are they planning some kind of offensive? Our politicos are dead silent over that. Our parliament is a rubber stamp, and our president is as usual on foreign trips and our premier is all-time-confused. Our opposition is luke-warm and rest of the parties are plain hopeless. The only hope against any Black Water is our security forces and the people of this country, who are ready to shed every last drop of their blood for the motherland.

Pakistan for mutually beneficial Pak-India relations 20/10/2009

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Friday said it desires mutually beneficial and harmonious cooperative relationship with India.

"We are committed to a serious, sustained and constructive engagement with India and early and full normalization of relations on the basis of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and non-interference," said Foreign Office Spokesman Muhammad Sadiq in his weekly press briefing.

He said considerable progress has been made in building mutual confidence through the Composite Dialogue process and it is Pakistan's desire that this process should be carried forward and made result oriented for the benefit of the people of the two countries.

Replying to a question, the spokesman said, he had no knowledge about the progress on back channel diplomacy on Pak-India relations as the Foreign Office always involved in front channel diplomacy.

"Pakistan is committed to expanding bilateral trade with India and we are also ready for liberalization of visa regime," he added.

The spokesman said Pakistan supports the right of the Kashmiri people to determine their destiny.

"We are committed to promoting intra-Kashmir interactions including cross-LoC trade," he said.

The spokesman said Pakistan would also like to make early progress in resolving Sir Creek and Siachen disputes.

He said Pakistan has made a number of suggestions to address mutual concerns on security and counter terrorism which include making the Joint Anti-Terrorism Mechanism more effective to discuss cooperation in counter terrorism and regular contact between DGs MO to ensure respect for the ceasefire.

The National Security Advisors of the two countries will also meet shortly, he added.

While commenting on the reports that India is violating the Indus Basin Water Treaty by curtailing the flow of water in Chenab River the spokesman said, "We are seriously concerned over significant reduction in flow of water in Chenab River."

He said it has caused extensive damage to Pakistan's agriculture and the Indian action is a clear violation of Indus Waters Treaty.

Pakistan was prompt to take cognizance of the issue both at the Indus Water Commission level and diplomatic level.

He said the reduction in flow was protested by Pakistan Commissioner with his Indian counterpart through various letters and telephone calls.

He said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also conveyed Pakistan's concern to the Indian government through a note verbal on September 5 with the request to restore full supply to Pakistan.

The spokesman said the matter was also raised by the Foreign Secretary of Pakistan with the Indian High Commissioner in Islamabad on September 4 and by the Pakistan High Commissioner with the Indian Foreign Secretary in New Delhi on September 12.

He said the Indian Deputy High Commissioner in Islamabad was called in on September 13 to convey Pakistan's concerns and request the Government of India for immediate remedial action.

The spokesman said in response to Pakistan's demarches, the Indian Commissioner for Indus Water Commission has invited Indus Water Commissioner to inspect the Baglihar Dam. The visit is expected to take place from October 18.

"We were assured that Indian government will take steps necessary to rectify the situation. Our efforts, however, will continue and intensify till the issue is resolved," he added.

Replying to a question about civilian trekking expedition to Siachen by India, the spokesman said Siachen glacier, occupied by India in 1984 in violation of the bilateral agreements, is on the agenda of the Composite Dialogue between Pakistan and India.

He sid its final status is yet to be determined, as agreed upon by the parties.

Pakistan has taken up the matter with India expressing concern over the weeklong trekking expedition, he added.

The spokesman said Pakistan had also conveyed its objection to the organizing of a similar trekking expedition last year.

He said Pakistan also called upon the Indian side to desist from acts that cast shadow on the peace process between Pakistan and India.