No undermining US economic strength, says Biden

He told a Chinese audience that his government would never default, near the end of a trip that has stressed interdependence between the world s two biggest economies.

“You re safe,” Biden told a university in Sichuan, the southwest province that is the second and last stop of his visit to China, in answer to a question about Washington s ability to repay its debt. “Please understand that no one cares more about this than we do, since Americans own 87 percent of all financial assets and 69 percent of all treasury bonds, while China owns 1 percent of financial assets and 8 percent of treasury bills, respectively,” Biden said at Sichuan University in the provincial capital, Chengdu.

“So our interest is not just to protect Chinese investment. We have an overarching interest in protecting the investment, while the United States has never defaulted and never will default.” Biden used his speech to renew US calls for Beijing to do more to rein in North Korea and Iran, whose nuclear ambitions have alarmed the West.

But his key theme was, as it has been throughout his five-day visit to China, economic: that the United States can reverse its high debt and low growth, and that China should play a part by buying more American-made goods and services. “I also know that some of you are sceptical about America s future prospects. With that in view, I would like to suggest that I respectfully disagree with that view and will allay your concerns,” said Biden. He told the audience to remember that “America today is by far the largest economy, with a GDP of almost $15 trillion, about two and a half times as large as China s.

“Biden and President Barack Obama, both Democrats, face re-election next year. Biden said the debate with Republicans over how to tackle US fiscal problems would be at the heart of the 2012 presidential election. Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping, who is virtually certain to succeed Hu Jintao as Chinese President in early 2013, has been Biden s host for this visit, and Obama administration officials have said they want to build trust with the emerging leader ahead of the transition.

Clinton to visit Pakistan next month

ISLAMABAD: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will visit Pakistan next month, TrendPK reported on Tuesday.

Clinton will lead the US delegation in next month’s Pak-US strategic dialogue.

Sources told the media that the US intends to send high profile officials to Pakistan for the visit. The dialogue between two countries is expected to strengthen ties and ease tension. TrendPK

PM Gilani to visit India for Mohali semi-final

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani will go to India to watch first semi-final of ICC World Cup being played between the teams of Pakistan and India on March 30.

According to Presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar, PM Gilani held two-hour meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari and it was decided in the meeting that PM Gilani will go to India to watch Pakistan-India semi-final to be played in Mohali on March 30.

It should be mentioned here that Indian Premier Manmohan Singh invited President Zardari and PM Gilani to come over to watch ICC World Cup’s first semi-final between the teams of the two countries.

PM Gilani will not only watch the much-awaited match but also have a meeting with Indian Premier Manmohan Singh.

Farhatullah Babar confirmed that the visit was decided during a meeting between the two leaders.

The government of Pakistan will formally inform the Indian government about the visit of PM Gilani. TrendPK

Shammi and Shashi Kapoor hospitalised

The Kapoor legends so to say, Shammi Kapoor and Shashi Kapoor, brothers aged 79 and 72 respectively, are suffering from age related ailments. They both have been hospitalised for the past few days.

While Shammiji is suffering from kidney ailments and is recuperating at Breach Candy hospital, Shashiji is admitted at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Andheri. Amitabh Bachchan who visited both at their respective hospitals tweeted and blogged about the visit, “went to visit Shashi Kapoor in hospital and pained to see him in such condition…prayers for him please.” He also mentioned about the visit to Shammi Kapoor on his blog as he wrote, “I have been to visit Shammi Kapoor in hospital. He is unwell, in a different hospital. He was his most charming self as always and joked and laughed over his condition.”

Bollywood Hungama wishes the two superstars of yesteryears a speedy recovery.

PM Reaches Afghnaistan on 2-day official visit

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has reached Afghanistan on a two-day official visit, trendpk.Com reported on Saturday.

The prime minister would meet with Afghan president Hamid Karzai, Vice-President Muhammad Karim Khalili, Speaker Younas Qanoni, Chairman High Council for Peace Burhan-ul-Din Rabbani and Afghan traders during his visit. The prime minister would also inaugurate Pakistan Embassy Complex in Kabul. The purpose of the visit of the prime minister is to ameliorate the existing bilateral relations between the two countries. The prime minister would take Hamid Karzai in to confidence on matters of common interest.

Pakistan hands over 26/11 dossier to India

Islamabad: Pakistan has handed over the 13th dossier on Mumbai terror attacks case to New Delhi just ahead of Obama’s visit to India.

Islamabad has also given detailed and formal information on the proposed 26/11 commission and has requested India to facilitate the visit of the proposed commission.

The dossier was handed over to the Deputy High Commissioner of India in Islamabad, Rahul Kulshreshth.

Pakistan has also sought further information from the Government of India to facilitate the ongoing trial in Pakistan. AGENCIES

Pakistan hands over 26/11 dossier to India

Islamabad: Pakistan has handed over the 13th dossier on Mumbai terror attacks case to New Delhi just ahead of Obama’s visit to India.

Islamabad has also given detailed and formal information on the proposed 26/11 commission and has requested India to facilitate the visit of the proposed commission.

The dossier was handed over to the Deputy High Commissioner of India in Islamabad, Rahul Kulshreshth.

Pakistan has also sought further information from the Government of India to facilitate the ongoing trial in Pakistan. AGENCIES

Pagara likely to meet Nawaz on Oct 27

A much-awaited meeting between PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif and head of Functional League Pir Pagara has been fixed. In his visit to Lahore, Pir Pagara will try to agree Nawaz Sharif to join new alliance of Muslim Leagues.
The meeting is expected on October 27. Nawaz Sharif is presently in London and it is expected that he would return back to the country before arrival of Pir Pagara to Lahore.
Talking about the meeting between Pagara and Nawaz, PML-N leader Khawaja Asif ruled out merger with All Pakistan Muslim League.

PM Gilani calls off his visit to Europe

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani cancelled his visit to Europe due to the ongoing predictions in media about changing of the government.
Spokesperson of Ministry of Foreign Affairs told in a statement that PM called off his visit to France and Belgium due to his busy schedule of flood relief activities going on in the country. It was also told in the statement that PMs visit to France is being rescheduled; where as the Asia-Europe conference being held in Belgium next month will be attended by Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi. Prime Ministers press secretary Shabbir Anwar said that PM had to visit France last month with a 40 member delegation but it was decided to call off that visit due to the massive devastation caused by flood in the country; where as the number of delegates for this visit has also been reduced in order to lower down the expenses. He also said that cancelation of PMs visit has got nothing to do with the ongoing politics in Pakistan.

Once Upon….declared a blockbuster

MUMBAI: Balaji and Milan Luthria’s Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai, starring Ajay Devgn, Emraan Hashmi, Kangana Ranaut and Prachi Desai has much reason to celebrate as the film opened to outstanding collections.

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Once Upon….declared a blockbuster

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