Federer to play Madrid Masters
MADRID (Xinhua):- World number two Roger Federer will play at next week's Madrid Masters, organizers said on Thursday.
Federer won the Madrid Masters in 2006 and was a finalist in 2007 in the event, which this year begins on Saturday with qualification matches and ends on October 19.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
US initiative to take telemedicine to remote regions of Pak.
New York (PTI): A public-private partnership to expand the reach of telemedicine in remote regions of Pakistan has been launched by the US State Department in consonance with corporate major IBM.
Telemedicine is a system where medical information is transferred via telephone, the Internet or other networks.
New York (PTI): A public-private partnership to expand the reach of telemedicine in remote regions of Pakistan has been launched by the US State Department in consonance with corporate major IBM.
Telemedicine is a system where medical information is transferred via telephone, the Internet or other networks.
US national debt clock runs out of digits
New York (PTI): Such is the surge in America's debt that even technology is finding it difficult to measure its level as a clock earmarked for keeping a tab on country's national debt has run out of digits!
The operator of the National Debt Clock, installed at Times Square in New York, has now dropped the dollar sign in the total figure to accommodate a ten trillion dollar figure.
New York (PTI): Such is the surge in America's debt that even technology is finding it difficult to measure its level as a clock earmarked for keeping a tab on country's national debt has run out of digits!
The operator of the National Debt Clock, installed at Times Square in New York, has now dropped the dollar sign in the total figure to accommodate a ten trillion dollar figure.
Temple to Jain faith rises in California
Buena Park (AP): In a suburban landscape dotted with evangelical megachurches and auto malls, followers of an Indian religion thousands of years old spent days decorating marble idols and lighting incense to herald the opening of one of their faith's largest temples.
The new USD 20 million Jain temple complex, celebrating a religion that promotes nonviolence and vegetarianism, and shares with Hinduism the concepts of nirvana and reincarnation, is expected to attract pilgrims and scholars worldwide.
Buena Park (AP): In a suburban landscape dotted with evangelical megachurches and auto malls, followers of an Indian religion thousands of years old spent days decorating marble idols and lighting incense to herald the opening of one of their faith's largest temples.
The new USD 20 million Jain temple complex, celebrating a religion that promotes nonviolence and vegetarianism, and shares with Hinduism the concepts of nirvana and reincarnation, is expected to attract pilgrims and scholars worldwide.
Russian official blasts 'secretive' UN-NATO deal
Moscow (AP): Moscow has accused NATO and the United Nations of secretly forging an agreement that tightens their cooperation without informing Russia, a UN Security Council member whose relations with NATO are badly strained.
Russia's anger reflected its wariness that closer relations could give NATO more clout at the United Nations, where Moscow holds veto power as a permanent Security Council member.
Moscow (AP): Moscow has accused NATO and the United Nations of secretly forging an agreement that tightens their cooperation without informing Russia, a UN Security Council member whose relations with NATO are badly strained.
Russia's anger reflected its wariness that closer relations could give NATO more clout at the United Nations, where Moscow holds veto power as a permanent Security Council member.
'Iran could disrupt Iraq elections'
Baghdad (AP): A US commander said on Friday that he sees a risk of "nefarious" Iranian meddling in Iraq's upcoming provincial elections - including the possibility of assassinations.
Maj Gen Michael Oates, who commands an area south of Baghdad, said he expects an uptick in violence in the run-up to the voting.
But a particular risk, he said, "is Iran, and what they decide to do in terms of malign influence in Iraq."
Baghdad (AP): A US commander said on Friday that he sees a risk of "nefarious" Iranian meddling in Iraq's upcoming provincial elections - including the possibility of assassinations.
Maj Gen Michael Oates, who commands an area south of Baghdad, said he expects an uptick in violence in the run-up to the voting.
But a particular risk, he said, "is Iran, and what they decide to do in terms of malign influence in Iraq."
Human rights advocates top Nobel peace guesses
OSLO (AP): Human rights activists were seen as the favorites to win the 2008 Nobel Peace Prize _ including Chinese dissidents Gao Zhisheng and Hu Jia, Russia's Lidia Yusupova, Vietnam's Thich Quang Do or the group Human Rights Watch.
Even mentioning a Chinese dissident as a possible winner brought threatening growls of disapproval from Beijing, which declared Thursday that Hu, a jailed dissident, was not a legitimate contender.
OSLO (AP): Human rights activists were seen as the favorites to win the 2008 Nobel Peace Prize _ including Chinese dissidents Gao Zhisheng and Hu Jia, Russia's Lidia Yusupova, Vietnam's Thich Quang Do or the group Human Rights Watch.
Even mentioning a Chinese dissident as a possible winner brought threatening growls of disapproval from Beijing, which declared Thursday that Hu, a jailed dissident, was not a legitimate contender.
Pakistan investigates alleged US missile strike
ISLAMABAD (AP): Pakistani intelligence agents on Friday were investigating the identities of up to eight foreigners believed killed in a suspected U.S. missile strike close to the Afghan border.
The attack appeared to be part of a surge in alleged U.S. assaults from Afghanistan on suspected militant targets in Pakistan that have strained ties between the two anti-terror allies.
ISLAMABAD (AP): Pakistani intelligence agents on Friday were investigating the identities of up to eight foreigners believed killed in a suspected U.S. missile strike close to the Afghan border.
The attack appeared to be part of a surge in alleged U.S. assaults from Afghanistan on suspected militant targets in Pakistan that have strained ties between the two anti-terror allies.
Three Asian central banks slash interest rates
SEOUL (AP): South Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong all slashed interest rates Thursday, joining in a chorus of cuts by central banks around the world aimed at fighting the global financial crisis.
The moves follow Wednesday's coordinated rate reductions led by the U.S. Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank. China's central bank also cut rates Wednesday, thought did not say if it was part of the joint action.
Investors generally cheered the moves, with benchmark indices in Hong Kong and South Korea edging higher after the previous day's plunge. Markets in Taiwan and Japan rose initially but then fell back into negative territory.
Citing dangers related to the financial crisis that has spread from the U.S. to Europe and beyond, the Bank of Korea cut its key seven-day repurchase rate by a quarter percentage point to 5 percent.
SEOUL (AP): South Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong all slashed interest rates Thursday, joining in a chorus of cuts by central banks around the world aimed at fighting the global financial crisis.
The moves follow Wednesday's coordinated rate reductions led by the U.S. Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank. China's central bank also cut rates Wednesday, thought did not say if it was part of the joint action.
Investors generally cheered the moves, with benchmark indices in Hong Kong and South Korea edging higher after the previous day's plunge. Markets in Taiwan and Japan rose initially but then fell back into negative territory.
Citing dangers related to the financial crisis that has spread from the U.S. to Europe and beyond, the Bank of Korea cut its key seven-day repurchase rate by a quarter percentage point to 5 percent.
Three Asian central banks slash interest rates
SEOUL (AP): South Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong all slashed interest rates Thursday, joining in a chorus of cuts by central banks around the world aimed at fighting the global financial crisis.
The moves follow Wednesday's coordinated rate reductions led by the U.S. Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank. China's central bank also cut rates Wednesday, thought did not say if it was part of the joint action.
Investors generally cheered the moves, with benchmark indices in Hong Kong and South Korea edging higher after the previous day's plunge. Markets in Taiwan and Japan rose initially but then fell back into negative territory.
Citing dangers related to the financial crisis that has spread from the U.S. to Europe and beyond, the Bank of Korea cut its key seven-day repurchase rate by a quarter percentage point to 5 percent.
SEOUL (AP): South Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong all slashed interest rates Thursday, joining in a chorus of cuts by central banks around the world aimed at fighting the global financial crisis.
The moves follow Wednesday's coordinated rate reductions led by the U.S. Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank. China's central bank also cut rates Wednesday, thought did not say if it was part of the joint action.
Investors generally cheered the moves, with benchmark indices in Hong Kong and South Korea edging higher after the previous day's plunge. Markets in Taiwan and Japan rose initially but then fell back into negative territory.
Citing dangers related to the financial crisis that has spread from the U.S. to Europe and beyond, the Bank of Korea cut its key seven-day repurchase rate by a quarter percentage point to 5 percent.
Asian markets mixed after global rate cuts
SHANGHAI (AP): Asian markets were mixed Thursday as investor enthusiasm over rate cuts around the world gave way to persisent fears over the severe strains in credit markets and the prospect of a global recession.
South Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan lowered their interest rates, joining a series of cuts Wednesday in the U.S., Europe and China aimed at stabilizing global markets that have plunged sharply this week.
But lower interest rates alone are unlikely to cure the crisis in confidence, analysts said.
SHANGHAI (AP): Asian markets were mixed Thursday as investor enthusiasm over rate cuts around the world gave way to persisent fears over the severe strains in credit markets and the prospect of a global recession.
South Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan lowered their interest rates, joining a series of cuts Wednesday in the U.S., Europe and China aimed at stabilizing global markets that have plunged sharply this week.
But lower interest rates alone are unlikely to cure the crisis in confidence, analysts said.
US-Iraq security pact faces hurdles
BAGHDAD (AP): A U.S.-Iraqi security agreement spelling out how American troops and contractors operate was supposed to be in place over the summer, but the thorniest issues remain unsettled and neither side is budging.
Time is running out. The deal must be finished and ratified by Iraq's parliament before Dec. 31, when the U.N. mandate authorizing the U.S. military mission expires. Otherwise, there will be no legal basis for the U.S. presence in Iraq.
For U.S. President George W. Bush, some of the pressure to get a fast deal has faded since Iraq is no longer a dominant issue in the presidential campaign.
For the Iraqi leadership, however, political crosscurrents have grown more complicated because of upcoming provincial elections and strong Iranian opposition to any security agreement.
BAGHDAD (AP): A U.S.-Iraqi security agreement spelling out how American troops and contractors operate was supposed to be in place over the summer, but the thorniest issues remain unsettled and neither side is budging.
Time is running out. The deal must be finished and ratified by Iraq's parliament before Dec. 31, when the U.N. mandate authorizing the U.S. military mission expires. Otherwise, there will be no legal basis for the U.S. presence in Iraq.
For U.S. President George W. Bush, some of the pressure to get a fast deal has faded since Iraq is no longer a dominant issue in the presidential campaign.
For the Iraqi leadership, however, political crosscurrents have grown more complicated because of upcoming provincial elections and strong Iranian opposition to any security agreement.
'Financial crisis should not impede women welfare projects'
New York (PTI): UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called on the nations to ensure that the current financial crisis do not impede funding of women welfare programmes.
"The global financial crisis is forcing all of us to save and cut costs where we can. But our work for the women of the world must continue undiminished," Ban emphasised at the presentation of the 2008 International Award for the Health and Dignity of Women by Americans for UNFPA.
The recipients of this year's award, which honours exemplary contributions to women's health and the promotion of women's rights, were four American women from the corporate sector and activists from Madagascar, Mexico and Nepal.
New York (PTI): UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called on the nations to ensure that the current financial crisis do not impede funding of women welfare programmes.
"The global financial crisis is forcing all of us to save and cut costs where we can. But our work for the women of the world must continue undiminished," Ban emphasised at the presentation of the 2008 International Award for the Health and Dignity of Women by Americans for UNFPA.
The recipients of this year's award, which honours exemplary contributions to women's health and the promotion of women's rights, were four American women from the corporate sector and activists from Madagascar, Mexico and Nepal.
Russia completes Georgia pullout ahead of schedule
Moscow (PTI): Russia had completed the withdrawal of its troops from the buffer zones inside Georgia, two days ahead of the scheduled October 10 deadline, set in the EU brokered peace deal.
"The last convoy of arms and military equipment crossed the border at 2200 IST. The convoy was escorted by Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) representatives," Commander of Russian peacekeeping contingent Maj-Gen Marat Kulakhmetov said yesterday in his televised statement.
Moscow (PTI): Russia had completed the withdrawal of its troops from the buffer zones inside Georgia, two days ahead of the scheduled October 10 deadline, set in the EU brokered peace deal.
"The last convoy of arms and military equipment crossed the border at 2200 IST. The convoy was escorted by Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) representatives," Commander of Russian peacekeeping contingent Maj-Gen Marat Kulakhmetov said yesterday in his televised statement.
Pak forces launch fresh offensive against Taliban
Islamabad (PTI): Pakistani combat jets and helicopter gunships on Thursday destroyed a major Taliban militant base in the country's restive Swat valley in NWFP inflicting heavy casualties and intensifying pressure on the Islamic radicals.
The fighter aircraft targeted a militant stronghold in the Peochar, a village in the Swat valley which security officials claiming inflicting heavy casualties, but a count was not immediately available.
Five civilians were also reported killed as a shell fired by security forces landed on their home. Witnesses and Taliban spokesman Muslim Khan said the bombs dropped by the jets had caused casualties, but there was no information on the number of deaths. Khan said the bombing had also destroyed houses.
Army officials said the fresh offensive is aimed at destroying militant bases in their strongholds in Matta area of Swat. Local residents said the jets bombed militant positions in Peochar, Shawar and Landai Sar, which are considered strong bases of the Taliban.
Islamabad (PTI): Pakistani combat jets and helicopter gunships on Thursday destroyed a major Taliban militant base in the country's restive Swat valley in NWFP inflicting heavy casualties and intensifying pressure on the Islamic radicals.
The fighter aircraft targeted a militant stronghold in the Peochar, a village in the Swat valley which security officials claiming inflicting heavy casualties, but a count was not immediately available.
Five civilians were also reported killed as a shell fired by security forces landed on their home. Witnesses and Taliban spokesman Muslim Khan said the bombs dropped by the jets had caused casualties, but there was no information on the number of deaths. Khan said the bombing had also destroyed houses.
Army officials said the fresh offensive is aimed at destroying militant bases in their strongholds in Matta area of Swat. Local residents said the jets bombed militant positions in Peochar, Shawar and Landai Sar, which are considered strong bases of the Taliban.
'Myanmar human rights situation challenging'
United Nations (PTI): Terming the human rights situation in Myanmar as challenging, a UN envoy has called upon the military junta to conduct the 2010 general elections in a "credible" manner.
"Respect for international human rights standards is indispensable in paving the road to democracy," Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, Toms Ojea Quintana wrote in a report released on Wednesday.
"The next step in the road map for national reconciliation and democratic transition is the election in 2010," the UN human rights envoy to the country said.
"Myanmar is going through a unique moment in its political history," he said, noting that the country's new Constitution was finalised in February and adopted through a referendum in May.
He stressed that if those general elections are prepared and conducted in an atmosphere in which human rights were fully respected, "the process will be credible, resulting in progressive achievement of democratic values."
United Nations (PTI): Terming the human rights situation in Myanmar as challenging, a UN envoy has called upon the military junta to conduct the 2010 general elections in a "credible" manner.
"Respect for international human rights standards is indispensable in paving the road to democracy," Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, Toms Ojea Quintana wrote in a report released on Wednesday.
"The next step in the road map for national reconciliation and democratic transition is the election in 2010," the UN human rights envoy to the country said.
"Myanmar is going through a unique moment in its political history," he said, noting that the country's new Constitution was finalised in February and adopted through a referendum in May.
He stressed that if those general elections are prepared and conducted in an atmosphere in which human rights were fully respected, "the process will be credible, resulting in progressive achievement of democratic values."
Somchai “flees” Parliament amid protests
SINGAPORE: Anti-government protesters were tear-gassed in Bangkok on Tuesday, even as Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat “escaped” from Parliament and his Deputy Chavalit Yongchaiyudh resigned. The military-linked Mr. Chavalit, in charge of security affairs, cited his responsibility for the turn of events.
Over 100 persons, mostly protesters and a few security officials, were reported injured. An anti-government activist was killed, apparently in a “vehicle blast,” according to opposition sources.
Trouble broke out after the protagonists of the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), an anti-government umbrella group, sought to blockade Parliament, where Mr. Somchai was making a policy speech.
SINGAPORE: Anti-government protesters were tear-gassed in Bangkok on Tuesday, even as Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat “escaped” from Parliament and his Deputy Chavalit Yongchaiyudh resigned. The military-linked Mr. Chavalit, in charge of security affairs, cited his responsibility for the turn of events.
Over 100 persons, mostly protesters and a few security officials, were reported injured. An anti-government activist was killed, apparently in a “vehicle blast,” according to opposition sources.
Trouble broke out after the protagonists of the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), an anti-government umbrella group, sought to blockade Parliament, where Mr. Somchai was making a policy speech.
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