Strauss: England can cope without Pietersen
July 8, 2010 by Trend PK
Filed under Breaking News
NOTTINGHAM: England captain Andrew Strauss insists he has no qualms about leading a side without Kevin Pietersen.
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Strauss: England can cope without Pietersen
Oil rises to near $75 on global stock rally
July 8, 2010 by Trend PK
Filed under Breaking News
SINGAPORE: Oil prices climbed to near $75 a barrel Thursday in Asia, extending big gains from the previous session as global stock markets rallied.
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Oil rises to near $75 on global stock rally
Kenya president holds emergency meeting over blasts
June 14, 2010 by Trend PK
Filed under World News
NAIROBI: Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki on Monday convened an emergency meeting of the country”s security chiefs following blasts that killed five people during a political rally.
The attacks, which also wounded more than 80 people, ripped through a rally in Nairobi campaigning against a proposed constitution due to be submitted to a referendum on August 4.
“The president has convened an early morning security meeting to discuss this matter, in order to get to the depth of this matter,” Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka told reporters.
“We want to get to the bottom of this matter…, we are appealing for calm from all Kenyans as police investigate the matter,” he added.
The blasts went off late Sunday during a rally opposing the proposed constitution in the capital”s main park.
It was the most serious incident in the east African nation since the violence that followed disputed elections in 2007 left 1,500 people dead and 300,000 displaced from their homes.
Panic gripped the crowd in Uhuru (Freedom) Park in the heart of the capital when the blasts went off during prayers at the end of the rally, called by evangelical Protestant churches, Nairobi police chief Anthony Kibuchi said.
“There were two explosions in the middle of the crowd,” he said.
Police sealed off the vast park as ambulances converged on the scene, then sped away to take the casualties to various hospitals.
Several thousand people were attending the rally, where organisers and speakers appealed for calm from the podium.
Inside one hospital, some of the bloodstained victims appeared unconscious, lying on stretchers on the floor of the emergency ward. Their injuries were mainly to their legs and lower torsos.
It appeared that an explosive device had been thrown at the crowd, police chief Kibuchi said, while survivors thought hand grenades had been used. The blasts were said to have gone off 15 minutes apart.
The emergency meeting was due to be attended by the president, Prime Minister Raila Odinga, the ministers of interior and defence, as well as the country”s army chief.
On August 4, a referendum is due to be held on a new constitution which had been one of the main reforms pledged by Kenya”s leaders in the aftermath of the deadly violence sparked by a disputed 2007 election.
Although Kenya”s once feuding principals openly support the new constitution, their respective parties appear divided, with some politicians concerned over land issues and a clause on abortion.
The referendum also comes against the backdrop of an intensifying race for the next presidential election, due in 2012.
UK Army Head Sir Jock Stirrup resigns early
June 14, 2010 by Trend PK
Filed under World News
LONDON: Sir Jock Stirrup, Britain”s chief of the defense staff since 2006, will step down this fall, six months before expected.
Having had his tenure extended until April 2011 by the previous government, the air chief marshal has been heavily criticized for deploying troops quickly without adequate equipment, expert civilian support, or clear objectives.
The first Strategic Defense and Security Review since 1998 will take place in the autumn. Its aims are to assess military spending and the role Britain will play in world affairs.
It is considered an apt time for Sir Jock to step down.
Talks with Defense Secretary Liam Fox were said to be amicable.
The ministry of defense (MoD) Permanent Undersecretary Sir Bill Jeffrey will also leave office. As with Sir Jock, all references to being fired have been denied.
Both are considered to have been close to the previous Labor administration and a clean start for the Conservative-Lib Dem coalition is seen as sensible.
Sir Jock, a former jet pilot, could be replaced by candidates including the head of the army, Gen. Sir David Richards, and the vice chief of the defense staff, Gen. Sir Nicholas Houghton.
Sir Bill”s post may not be refilled as there are already more bureaucrats than soldiers in the MoD.
Economic Survey Report 2009-10 today
ISLAMABAD: The Economic Survey 2009-10 is likely to show that the gross domestic product (GDP) will be at 4.1 percent as compared with 1.1 percent of the previous fiscal year, sources told Daily Times on Thursday.
Inflation is undoubtedly less severe as compared to last year’s 22 percent but is still in double digits at 11.5 to 12.5 percent.
The revise financial deficits will likely lies from 5.1 percent to 5.6 percent, experts said.
american idol top 2
May 20, 2010 by Trend PK
Filed under World News
After 47 million votes this week, American Idol’s Season 9 showdown is set: It’s down to the final two singers. First, we got to see all the contestants have their days of being a hometown hero, each returning to their native cities to perform, greet fans and visit with family. But who is headed home to stay?
To call this episode a results show is almost laughable, as there was barely any mention of the results until the show’s last seven minutes. However, it was a highlight as usual to see the singers in their respective hometowns. (And yes, I prematurely griped at the show last night, forgetting that they show most of the trips during results night. Apologies.) Some thoughts on the packages:
Casey James
Casey’s trip showcased his performance less than the other two, but he did get the usual parade and visit to the local news station. Of particular note was Casey’s visit to the hospital where he recovered from his near-death accident. As expected, that visit brought a few tears.
Crystal Bowersox
Crystal seemed to have the most fun during her visit. From getting the key to Toledo, Ohio, to having the day named in her honor to playing peek-a-boo with the large crowd from the top of her limo, Crystal soaked it all in. Her package was notably devoid of many tears, but they came in the studio, where she revealed the song she played was an original tune written about her hometown.
Lee DeWyze
Lee’s highlights were a nice mix of the previous two. Lee was very emotional when visiting the paint store where he used to work and when performing before a huge crowd, but he also got to have fun (like throwing out the first pitch at Wrigley Field). Also, did you see all those screaming girls when Lee returned to his school? They just might make the difference in who wins this season.
how old is justin bieber
May 20, 2010 by Trend PK
Filed under World News
LOS ANGELES (Billboard) – Canadian teen idol Justin Bieber returned to the top of the U.S. pop chart Wednesday with the second-lowest sales tally for a No. 1 album since tracking firm Nielsen SoundScan started keeping data in May 1991.
Bieber’s “My World 2.0″ sold 60,300 copies during the week ended May 16, jumping four places to mark a fourth non-consecutive week at the top. The album originally debuted at No. 1 on March 31. Sales to date stand at 1.04 million.
The record low at No. 1 came in January 2007, when the “Dreamgirls” soundtrack spent its second of two weeks at No. 1 with a shade more than 60,000 sold.
Overall album sales hit a record low in the Nielsen SoundScan era. Sales totaled 5.32 million units, down 12% compared to the previous week, and down 9% compared to the comparable sales week of 2009. Year-to-date album sales are off 10 percent.
Last week’s No. 1 album, Godsmack’s “The Oracle,” slid to No. 9 with just under 43,000, taking its two-week total to 117,500.
T20 World Cup kicks off today, Pakistan to defend title
GUYANA: The third ICC World Twenty20 Championship begins today in West Indies as Pakistan will defend their title in the mega event.
Sri Lanka will play against New Zealand in the inaugural match of the tournament while the second match will be played between hosts West Indies and Ireland.
All matches of the event will be shown live on Geo Super.
The first match will be held between the runners-up of the previous edition, Sri Lanka and New Zealand and it will begin at 10-00 pm (Pakistan standard time).
The West Indies and Ireland will play the second match at 2-00 am.
Oil extends gains in Asia
SINGAPORE: Oil prices extended gains in Asian trade Monday after a rise in US home sales stoked optimism for a firmer rebound in the world”s biggest economy, analysts said.
New York”s main contract, light sweet crude for delivery in June, rose 41 cents to 85.53 dollars a barrel. Brent North Sea crude for June was up 35 cents to 87.60 dollars.
Sales of newly constructed single-family houses in the United States jumped by nearly 27 percent in March compared to the previous month, raising hopes the recovery was gaining traction.
MQM to retire country’s debt by selling feudals’ land: Altaf
LAHORE: Chief of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Altaf Hussain, Sunday said those who chanted slogan of ‘Roti, Kapra aur Makan’ (food, clothing and shelter) gave nothing to the people in the past 62 years.
In his telephonic address to the convention held simultaneously in Lahore, Multan and Rawalpindi, Hussain urged the people of Punjab to maintain order as ‘MQM has made its way to Punjab’.
He said that his party, after coming into power, would distribute feudals’ land among poor people. Hussain said that the country’s debt would also be returned by selling these lands.
He said today people have converged here to save Pakistan, which suffers from dual system of education and where children of the poor are made to sit on ground in yellow schools in the absence of chairs.
The MQM Chief said the masses continue to be subjected to atrocities for the last 62 years. He said actually “it our fault who cast vote in favour of defaulters of enormous debts,” asking, “Why do people of Punjab keep voting for plunderers and looters who have been tried before?”
He said the people will have to make a pledge not to support thieves. “It is Allah Almighty who has all the power to decide as to who gets respect and who gets humiliated,” he said citing Quranic verses.
Altaf Hussain said MQM has made its way to Punjab despite all the hurdles put in its way. “MQM is here to paint faces of thieves and looters in black and walk them in streets,” he warned.
The issue of Seraiki region and South Punjab would be resolved, he promised.
