ESHAWAR: At least 34 militants were killed and 22 others were injured in a clash between the Security Forces in Orakzai and Swat, while one security personnel was also martyred.
According to local sources, the extremists attacked on the SF check post in Sanghar area of the Orakzai Agency, while in retaliation the Security Forces killed 25 militants and injured 22 others. In another incident, the forces killed 5 extremists in another clash between the militants and the Security Forces in Chishti Mela. The Security Forces killed 4 militants in Swat. According to the officials, the extremists opened fire on the forces' convoy in the Segram area of Swat's Tehsil Kabal, while in retaliation, at least 4 terrorists killed.
It is pertinent to mention that the forces were carrying out the operation against the militants in the Orakzai Agency from the past one month and more than 400 militants have been killed so far, while 15 training centres and 60 hideouts of the militants have been destroyed.—Agencies
IPL 2010 Schedule: IPL Today’s match; RCB vs. MI and KKR vs. RR. There are two matches slated for today in the ongoing Indian Premiere League, season 3.
The first match is going to be between Royal Challengers Bangalore vs. Mumbai Indian at Bangalore’s Chennaswamy Stadium.
This match is going to begin at 4:PM, IST. This is one of the crucial match for the Royal Challengers Bangalore, though, if the Mumbai Indians don’t take it seriously, it won’t harm them.
In the mean time, the second match is going to be played at Kolkata’s Eden Garden’s stadium. Shah Rukh Khan’s team Kolkata Knight Riders would be taking over Rajasthan Royals here.
Though, there are less chances for the Saurav Ganguly led Kolkata team, but as this match is slated at their homeground, there would be many faces to cheer up them TEHRAN - The Nuclear Energy For All, Nuclear Weapons For No One conference opens today in Tehran.
Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said that all countries should work for the cause of nuclear non-proliferation and try to create a world without nuclear weapons.
Addressing worshippers at Friday prayers in Tehran, Mottaki said that the United States is trying to deceive the world about its nuclear weapons and the recent nuclear summit in Washington was just a show.
“Those who possess nuclear weapons are not trustworthy,” he added.
Nuclear weapons have no place in Mideast
Tehran will continue to send the strong message that nuclear weapons have no place at all in this very sensitive part of the world, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Mohammad-Mehdi Akhoundzadeh said on Friday.
The Tehran conference is a platform where everyone can express their views, Akhoundzadeh stated.
Akhoundzadeh, who is also the secretary general of the Tehran disarmament conference, said that the conference was not organized to overshadow the Washington nuclear summit.
“This is a process, this is not a project. Some may think that this is meant to overshadow what went on in Washington, but we don't look at it that way,” he added.
Leaders and representatives of 47 nations gathered in Washington on April 12 and 13 to participate in a nuclear security summit, but Iran and North Korea were not invited to the conference.
Tehran conference seeks to revive NPT
MP Kazem Jalali of the Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Committee has said that the Tehran nuclear disarmament conference seeks to revive the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
“The initial objectives of the NPT were to provide states with the opportunity to use peaceful nuclear energy and to bind nuclear weapon states to move toward disarmament,” Jalali told the Mehr News Agency on Friday.
“Today we see that none of those objectives have been realized and even the recent treaty to cut the number of nuclear warheads signed by Obama and Medvedev was in fact propaganda,” he added.
Last week President Barack Obama and President Dimitry Medvedev signed a landmark treaty in Prague, pledging to reduce the nuclear arsenals of the United States and Russia by a third.
“The Tehran conference is a global call for the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and the Islamic Republic of Iran is seeking to integrate states that are trying to attain nuclear technology meant for peaceful purposes,” Jalali stated.
“Through this conference, Iran is announcing to the world that it is not pursuing nuclear weapons since it is against the religion of Islam based on the fatwa (religious decree) issued by Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei,” he added
LAHORE: The family members of Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Malik are reaching home this evening while Shoaib may return up to April 21 after getting back his passport on Monday.
Shoaib’s family members, after participating in his wedding with Indian tennis star Sania Mirza in Hyderabad Deccan, have reached Delhi this morning and from here they will arrive in Lahore at 6-00 pm today.
Shoaib’s brother-in-law Imran Zafar Malik told Indian media before departure that Shoaib’s passport is expected to be received on Monday after which he can come to Pakistan up to April 21.
The date of valima reception will be announced today or tomorrow. The ceremony will be held in Punjabi style which is expected to be attended also by people from India. 
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Pakistan makes surprise offer of nuclear fuel services
Posted by muhammad imran
WASHINGTON: Pakistan has said that it has acquired advanced nuclear fuel cycle capability and can offer it to the rest of the world under IAEA safeguards.
The offer, contained in a national statement presented at a two-day summit which concluded in Washington on Tuesday, reflected Islamabad’s desire to gain recognition as a nuclear state.
“As a country with advanced fuel cycle capability, Pakistan is in a position to provide nuclear fuel cycle services under IAEA safeguards, and to participate in any non-discriminatory nuclear fuel cycle assurance mechanism,” the document said.
At the summit, Pakistan also reiterated its proposals for establishing a strategic restraint regime in South Asia.
The policy paper released during the conference stressed that such a regime would “promote nuclear and missile restraint, a balance in conventional forces, and conflict resolution”.
Pakistan said that it had already concluded with India risk reduction and confidence-building measures which included a hot line, prior notification of ballistic missile tests, and an agreement on reducing the risk of accidents relating to nuclear weapons.
“More than ever, India and Pakistan need a substantive, structured and sustained dialogue on all issues, including nuclear CBMs,” the Pakistani statement said.
It also underlined Pakistan’s legitimate needs for power generation to meet the growing energy demand of its expanding economy.
“Civil nuclear power generation under IAEA safeguards is an essential part of our national energy security plan to support sustained economic growth and industrial development,” the statement pointed out.
In his address at the inaugural dinner on Monday night, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani told the participants that Pakistan had more than 35 years’ experience of operating nuclear power plants, a highly trained manpower and a well-established safety and security culture.
“Pakistan qualifies for participation in civil nuclear cooperation at the international level. We urge all relevant forums to give Pakistan access to nuclear technology for peaceful uses, in a non-discriminatory manner,” he said.
China’s Support
Pakistan received support from a trusted ally in its quest for civil nuclear technology on Tuesday when China declared that every country had the right to the peaceful use of nuclear technology.
“We strongly support efforts to enhance international nuclear security and the equal right of all countries to the peaceful use of nuclear energy,” said the Chinese national statement presented at the conference.
The Chinese statement at the nuclear summit, however, aimed primarily at clarifying its position on the US-Iran dispute on this issue.
During the two-day summit, the United States and its allies demanded measures to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear technology because they feared that Tehran would use it for making weapons, which in turn would destabilise the entire Middle East.
On Monday, US President Barack Obama secured a promise from President Hu Jintao of China to join negotiations on a new package of sanctions against Iran, administration officials said, but Mr Hu made no specific commitment to backing measures that the United States considered severe enough to force a change in direction in Iran’s nuclear programme.
The Chinese national statement also reiterated Beijing’s commitment to the policies of “no first use of nuclear weapons, at any time and under any circumstances”.
It emphasised China’s “unequivocal commitment to “not to use or threat to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear weapon states or in nuclear-free zones”.
Obama’s Warning
President Obama warned that the risk of a nuclear attack had increased as terrorists sought nuclear materials.
Taking a cue from the American leader, India too emphasised this point in a national statement it submitted to the two-day nuclear summit in Washington.
“The world community should join hands to eliminate the risk of sensitive and valuable materials and technologies falling into hands of terrorists and illicit traffickers. There should be zero tolerance for individuals and groups which engage in illegal trafficking in nuclear items,” said the Indian statement.
Each nation participating in the 47-state conference has submitted a national statement, spelling out its policies and aspirations on the nuclear issue. The rules of the conference prevent participants from targeting any particular nation, forcing India not to name Pakistan but the Indian statement included hints that seek to implicate Islamabad.
Speaking on the final day of the summit, President Obama said even though the threat of nuclear war between nations had decreased, terrorist groups like Al Qaeda were working to acquire nuclear materials.
Mr Obama said the new nuclear threat facing the world after the end of the Cold War was “cruel irony of history”. He warned that world leaders must act now and not simply talk about securing nuclear materials.
Seeking to lend force to his warning, Mr Obama said that dozens of countries held nuclear materials that could be sold or stolen, and that a weapon fashioned from an apple-size piece of plutonium could kill or injure hundreds of thousands of people. “Terrorist networks such as Al Qaeda have tried to acquire the material for a nuclear weapon, and if they ever succeed, they would surely use it. Were they to do so, it would be a catastrophe for the world,” he said.
Mr Obama urged the international community to take joint action against nuclear terrorism and secure or destroy vulnerable stockpiles of nuclear materials that the terrorists could acquire.
The offer, contained in a national statement presented at a two-day summit which concluded in Washington on Tuesday, reflected Islamabad’s desire to gain recognition as a nuclear state.
“As a country with advanced fuel cycle capability, Pakistan is in a position to provide nuclear fuel cycle services under IAEA safeguards, and to participate in any non-discriminatory nuclear fuel cycle assurance mechanism,” the document said.
At the summit, Pakistan also reiterated its proposals for establishing a strategic restraint regime in South Asia.
The policy paper released during the conference stressed that such a regime would “promote nuclear and missile restraint, a balance in conventional forces, and conflict resolution”.
Pakistan said that it had already concluded with India risk reduction and confidence-building measures which included a hot line, prior notification of ballistic missile tests, and an agreement on reducing the risk of accidents relating to nuclear weapons.
“More than ever, India and Pakistan need a substantive, structured and sustained dialogue on all issues, including nuclear CBMs,” the Pakistani statement said.
It also underlined Pakistan’s legitimate needs for power generation to meet the growing energy demand of its expanding economy.
“Civil nuclear power generation under IAEA safeguards is an essential part of our national energy security plan to support sustained economic growth and industrial development,” the statement pointed out.
In his address at the inaugural dinner on Monday night, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani told the participants that Pakistan had more than 35 years’ experience of operating nuclear power plants, a highly trained manpower and a well-established safety and security culture.
“Pakistan qualifies for participation in civil nuclear cooperation at the international level. We urge all relevant forums to give Pakistan access to nuclear technology for peaceful uses, in a non-discriminatory manner,” he said.
China’s Support
Pakistan received support from a trusted ally in its quest for civil nuclear technology on Tuesday when China declared that every country had the right to the peaceful use of nuclear technology.
“We strongly support efforts to enhance international nuclear security and the equal right of all countries to the peaceful use of nuclear energy,” said the Chinese national statement presented at the conference.
The Chinese statement at the nuclear summit, however, aimed primarily at clarifying its position on the US-Iran dispute on this issue.
During the two-day summit, the United States and its allies demanded measures to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear technology because they feared that Tehran would use it for making weapons, which in turn would destabilise the entire Middle East.
On Monday, US President Barack Obama secured a promise from President Hu Jintao of China to join negotiations on a new package of sanctions against Iran, administration officials said, but Mr Hu made no specific commitment to backing measures that the United States considered severe enough to force a change in direction in Iran’s nuclear programme.
The Chinese national statement also reiterated Beijing’s commitment to the policies of “no first use of nuclear weapons, at any time and under any circumstances”.
It emphasised China’s “unequivocal commitment to “not to use or threat to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear weapon states or in nuclear-free zones”.
Obama’s Warning
President Obama warned that the risk of a nuclear attack had increased as terrorists sought nuclear materials.
Taking a cue from the American leader, India too emphasised this point in a national statement it submitted to the two-day nuclear summit in Washington.
“The world community should join hands to eliminate the risk of sensitive and valuable materials and technologies falling into hands of terrorists and illicit traffickers. There should be zero tolerance for individuals and groups which engage in illegal trafficking in nuclear items,” said the Indian statement.
Each nation participating in the 47-state conference has submitted a national statement, spelling out its policies and aspirations on the nuclear issue. The rules of the conference prevent participants from targeting any particular nation, forcing India not to name Pakistan but the Indian statement included hints that seek to implicate Islamabad.
Speaking on the final day of the summit, President Obama said even though the threat of nuclear war between nations had decreased, terrorist groups like Al Qaeda were working to acquire nuclear materials.
Mr Obama said the new nuclear threat facing the world after the end of the Cold War was “cruel irony of history”. He warned that world leaders must act now and not simply talk about securing nuclear materials.
Seeking to lend force to his warning, Mr Obama said that dozens of countries held nuclear materials that could be sold or stolen, and that a weapon fashioned from an apple-size piece of plutonium could kill or injure hundreds of thousands of people. “Terrorist networks such as Al Qaeda have tried to acquire the material for a nuclear weapon, and if they ever succeed, they would surely use it. Were they to do so, it would be a catastrophe for the world,” he said.
Mr Obama urged the international community to take joint action against nuclear terrorism and secure or destroy vulnerable stockpiles of nuclear materials that the terrorists could acquire.
The Iranian government is hosting a nuclear conference Saturday and Sunday in Tehran, in counterpoint to the Washington summit this week to which it was not invited. The meeting comes as the U.S. pushes for a fourth set of sanctions over Tehran's disputed nuclear program, a drive that appears to be gaining momentum.
Looking ahead to the Tehran meeting, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad insisted that his country is doing its best to work with world powers.
In an interview on state television, Mr. Ahmadinejad said "we are actually after cooperation and negotiation. We still are.” He added that Iran was willing to deal with a formula that protects Iran's rights, includes its independence, dignity and honor - and excludes the nuclear issue.
It's that kind of mixed message that frustrates so many. Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful, civilian purposes. But by refusing to comply with U.N. nuclear agency requests, it deepens suspicions that it seeks nuclear weapons.
Ezzedine Choukri Fishere, political science professor at the American University in Cairo, says the Iranian program is worrying for almost everyone, both in the region and in the international community.
“The fact that Iran insists on pursuing these features and refusing to reassure the international community and its neighbors,” Fishere said, “means that those who are worried about it enough to take action, will eventually take action."
The conference in Iran appears aimed at showing Tehran still has supporters. India is one nuclear power sending a representative, though at a far lower official level than at the Washington summit.
There are signs others are losing patience. China, which has been holding out against further U.N. sanctions, has agreed to be involved at least in the drafting of new measures. The veto-wielding nation depends on Iran for some ten percent of its oil, although in recent months has been looking at other Persian Gulf nations as possible suppliers.
Further complicating efforts of those wishing to support Iran are comments by authorities that leave many simply baffled.
Earlier in the week, a senior official at Iran's atomic energy agency declared the country would become a member of the "nuclear club" within a month. The term is commonly used to describe nations with nuclear weapons.
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates was quick to dismiss the idea, saying he didn't believe it.
“I think most estimates that I've seen haven't changed since the last time we talked about it, which is, at least a year, maybe more," Gates said.
Political science professor Fishere argued both sides need to go beyond reacting to statements like that about the nuclear club, which he says could be aimed at a domestic audience or simply a matter of mistranslation. He urged the United States and Iran to sit down to direct dialogue about all the issues at stake. But he argues that the offer by President Barack Obama to reach out to Iran didn't go far enough.
"What the Obama administration did was incurring the political cost of calling for a dialogue with Iran, but without actually the benefit of engaging in that dialogue,” Fishere said.
He added that he hopes the administration will be bold enough to finally engage in face-to-face dialogue and put on the table the serious issues and the real issues it is worried about.
Fishere said the U.N. offer last year to enrich Iranian uranium abroad -an offer rejected by Iran - was a good start, arguing that broadening that dialogue will help bring Iran back from what he calls the "abyss" that it appears to be approaching.
Looking ahead to the Tehran meeting, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad insisted that his country is doing its best to work with world powers.
In an interview on state television, Mr. Ahmadinejad said "we are actually after cooperation and negotiation. We still are.” He added that Iran was willing to deal with a formula that protects Iran's rights, includes its independence, dignity and honor - and excludes the nuclear issue.
It's that kind of mixed message that frustrates so many. Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful, civilian purposes. But by refusing to comply with U.N. nuclear agency requests, it deepens suspicions that it seeks nuclear weapons.
Ezzedine Choukri Fishere, political science professor at the American University in Cairo, says the Iranian program is worrying for almost everyone, both in the region and in the international community.
“The fact that Iran insists on pursuing these features and refusing to reassure the international community and its neighbors,” Fishere said, “means that those who are worried about it enough to take action, will eventually take action."
The conference in Iran appears aimed at showing Tehran still has supporters. India is one nuclear power sending a representative, though at a far lower official level than at the Washington summit.
There are signs others are losing patience. China, which has been holding out against further U.N. sanctions, has agreed to be involved at least in the drafting of new measures. The veto-wielding nation depends on Iran for some ten percent of its oil, although in recent months has been looking at other Persian Gulf nations as possible suppliers.
Further complicating efforts of those wishing to support Iran are comments by authorities that leave many simply baffled.
Earlier in the week, a senior official at Iran's atomic energy agency declared the country would become a member of the "nuclear club" within a month. The term is commonly used to describe nations with nuclear weapons.
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates was quick to dismiss the idea, saying he didn't believe it.
“I think most estimates that I've seen haven't changed since the last time we talked about it, which is, at least a year, maybe more," Gates said.
Political science professor Fishere argued both sides need to go beyond reacting to statements like that about the nuclear club, which he says could be aimed at a domestic audience or simply a matter of mistranslation. He urged the United States and Iran to sit down to direct dialogue about all the issues at stake. But he argues that the offer by President Barack Obama to reach out to Iran didn't go far enough.
"What the Obama administration did was incurring the political cost of calling for a dialogue with Iran, but without actually the benefit of engaging in that dialogue,” Fishere said.
He added that he hopes the administration will be bold enough to finally engage in face-to-face dialogue and put on the table the serious issues and the real issues it is worried about.
Fishere said the U.N. offer last year to enrich Iranian uranium abroad -an offer rejected by Iran - was a good start, arguing that broadening that dialogue will help bring Iran back from what he calls the "abyss" that it appears to be approaching.
April 14 (Bloomberg) -- Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told United Nations leaders that the U.S. was attempting “nuclear blackmail” by retaining the option of using atomic weapons against his country.
Ahmadinejad, in a letter dated April 13, cited Secretary of Defense Robert Gates as saying that “all options are on the table” regarding the potential use of nuclear weapons against Iran in response to an attack. The statement was part of President Barack Obama’s Nuclear Posture Review that was released last week.
“Such inflammatory statements which are tantamount to nuclear blackmail against a non-nuclear weapon state” are a violation of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and the UN Charter, Ahmadinejad said in the letter to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon; Ali Treki of Libya, the president of the General Assembly; and Ambassador Yukio Takasu of Japan, which holds the rotating presidency of the Security Council this month.
The letter said the U.S. nuclear policy was a “threat to international peace and security” and asked the UN to “take action” to eliminate all nuclear weapons and to “strongly oppose the threat of use of nuclear weapons and to reject it.”
The letter came as Ahmadinejad also sent a letter to Obama, according to state-run Press TV.
Obama is trying to garner support from China for a fourth round of UN sanctions against Iran’s nuclear program. Additional measures may include the authority to seize cargo suspected of carrying weapons, and limits on investment in the energy industry and financial aid or credit for Iran.
In another letter to Ban this week, Ahmadinejad called for “an independent fact-finding team to launch a comprehensive investigation into the main intentions of NATO military presence in Afghanistan and Iraq, the methods used, and the outcome of their presence and engagement, with the result to be presented to the General Assembly.”
--With assistance from Ladane Nasseri in Beirut. Editors: Mark Schoifet, Laurie Asseo.
To contact the reporter on this story: Bill Varner at the United Nations at
ISLAMABAD: Security has been put on high alert in the federal capital and all the station house officers (SHO) have been directed to enhance patrolling in their respective areas, said Minister for Interior Rehman Malik on Tuesday. Talking to media at the Parliament House, he said the concerned SHO would be responsible in case any unpleasant incident takes place in his area. Replying to a question, he said that inspector general of police (IGP) Islamabad was a dutiful person and performing his duties with honesty and commitment. Malik expressed sorrow over the fallout of violence in Hazara but added that 18th Amendment would solve all people’s problems. He said it was heartening that all political parties had converged on the same platform and expressed support for the amendment. “Now, it is their collective responsibility to ensure its implementation,” he concluded. app
BEIJING — Soldiers and civilians used shovels and their bare hands to dig through collapsed buildings in search of survivors after strong earthquakes struck a mountainous Tibetan region of China on Wednesday, killing at least 400 people and injuring more than 10,000.
The series of quakes flattened buildings across remote western Yushu county and sent survivors, many bleeding from their wounds, flooding into the streets of Jiegu township. State television showed block after devastated block of toppled mud and wood homes. Local officials said 85 percent of the structures had been destroyed.
Residents and troops garrisoned in the town used shovels and their hands to pull survivors and bodies from the rubble much of the day. Several schools collapsed, with the state news agency saying at least 56 students died. Worst hit was the Yushu Vocational School, where Xinhua cited a local education official as saying 22 students died.
Footage on Qinghai Satellite TV showed bodies wrapped in blankets lying on the ground while rescuers pulled shards of concrete from a pancaked school building.
Crews set up emergency generators to restore operations at Yushu's airport, and by late afternoon the first of six flights landed carrying rescue workers and equipment. But the road to town was blocked by a landslide, hampering the rescue as temperatures dropped below freezing. Tens of thousands of the town's 70,000 people were without shelter, state media said.
"The situation here is difficult. Most of the buildings have collapsed. A lot of people are seriously injured," said Pu Wu, a director of the Jinba Project, which provides health care training for Tibetan communities. "We are scared. We are all camping outside and waiting for more tents to come."
While China's military is well-practiced in responding to disasters, the remote location posed logistical difficulties. The area sits at around 13,000 feet (4,000 meters) and is poor. Most people live in Jiegu, with the remaining — mostly herders — scattered across the broad valleys. The small airport has no refueling supplies, so relief flights were carrying extra jet fuel, reducing their capacity for hauling supplies, state media reported.
A local official quoted on state TV put the death toll at 400 and the injured at 10,000 by late afternoon. Wu Yong, commander of the army garrison, said the deaths "may rise further as lots of houses collapsed." Hospitals were overwhelmed, and rescue teams were slowed by damaged roads, strong winds and frequent aftershocks.
Luo Song, a monk from a monastery in Yushu county, said his sister who worked at an orphanage told him three children were sent to a hospital but the facilities lacked equipment.
"She said the hospitals are facing a lot of difficulty right now because there are no doctors, they have only bandages, they can't give injections, they can't put people on intravenous drips," the monk said by phone while on a visit to the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen. China's rural hospitals typically are not well equipped.
Workers released water from a nearby reservoir whose dam was cracked by the quake, according to the China Earthquake Administration.
President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao urged "all-out efforts" to rescue survivors and dispatched a vice-premier to supervise the effort. The government immediately allocated $30 million (200 million yuan) for relief, and mobilized more than 5,000 soldiers, medical workers and other rescuers, joining 700 troops already on the ground.
With many people forced outside, the provincial government said it was rushing 5,000 tents and 100,000 coats and blankets to the region, where average daily temperatures were around 43 degrees Fahrenheit (6 degrees Celsius).
The initial quake, measured at magnitude-6.9 by the U.S. Geological Survey and 7.1 by the China Earthquake Networks Center, hit Yushu at 7:49 a.m. (7:49 p.m. EDT, 2349 GMT). It was followed by five more tremors within three hours, all but one registering 5.0 or higher.
Residents of Jiegu, known by Tibetans as Gyegu, about 20 miles (30 kilometers) from the epicenter, fled dazed and sobbing as the ground shook, toppling houses, as well as temples, gas stations, electric poles and the top of a Buddhist pagoda in a park, witnesses and state media said.
"Nearly all the houses made of mud and wood collapsed. There was so much dust in the air, we couldn't see anything," said Ren Yu, general manager of Yushu Hotel in Jiegu. "There was a lot of panic. People were crying on the streets. Some of our staff, who were reunited with their parents, were also in tears."
More than 100 guests of the hotel, which was relatively undamaged, were evacuated to open spaces such as public squares, Ren told The Associated Press by phone. After transporting guests to safety, hotel staff helped in rescue efforts in other buildings, Ren said.
"We pulled out 70 people, but some of them died on the way to the hospital," Ren said, adding other survivors were put in tents in the hotel yard while they awaited assistance.
Many of the students boarded at the schools and were preparing to head to class when the quake struck. One rescue worker said he didn't know how many students had died but he had helped recover several bodies.
"Students just got up and were yet to go to class when the quake happened. I recovered several bodies from the debris and found they were fully dressed," said Zhu Liang, a government worker who joined the rescue operation.
The destruction of schools is an eerie echo of the massive magnitude-7.9 quake that hit neighboring Sichuan province two years ago, leaving nearly 90,000 people dead or missing. Thousands of students among the dead were killed when their schools collapsed. Poor design, shoddy construction and the lax enforcement of building codes were found to be rampant.
Both Wednesday's quake and the one in Sichuan two years ago occurred along the Longmenshan fault, which runs underneath the mountains that divide the Tibetan plateau to the west and the Sichuan plain below.
Messages of sympathy came from the pope at the Vatican, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, as well as the Dalai Lama, the exiled Tibetan leader revered by the often fervently Buddhist Tibetans and reviled by Chinese leaders, who accuse him of fomenting separatism.
Once a trading hub and a gateway to central Tibet, Yushu and surrounding environs were among the Tibetan areas caught up in the anti-government protests that swept the region in March 2008. Tensions have simmered since, and the region has been closed to foreigners off and on.
The garrison of troops who were the first to respond to the quake is stationed in the area to help maintain order. CCTV reported that soon after the quake, troops secured banks, oil depots and caches of explosives.
Associated Press Writers Charles Hutzler and Tini Tran and researchers Zhao Liang and Yu Bing contributed to this report.
LAHORE: The row between Veena Malik and pace bowler Mohammad Asif intensified as the actress questioned why an FIR has not been registered against Asif despite providing the required evidence.
Speaking in Lahore to media, she said Asif owes her Rs11.3 million and publicly asked the speed merchant to pay off his debt.
She inquired as to the whereabouts of the money that Asif had earned in the last few years. She alleged that Asif was not the national hero that he is portrayed as.
Providing receipts and reading out personal details from her cellphone, Malik said that her witnesses were ready to appear in court to corroborate her story.
She accused Asif of physically abusing her while under the influence of drugs.
She added that the cricketer's name should be put on the exit control list so he could not leave the country.—DawnNews
Speaking in Lahore to media, she said Asif owes her Rs11.3 million and publicly asked the speed merchant to pay off his debt.
She inquired as to the whereabouts of the money that Asif had earned in the last few years. She alleged that Asif was not the national hero that he is portrayed as.
Providing receipts and reading out personal details from her cellphone, Malik said that her witnesses were ready to appear in court to corroborate her story.
She accused Asif of physically abusing her while under the influence of drugs.
She added that the cricketer's name should be put on the exit control list so he could not leave the country.—DawnNews
ISLAMABAD, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Anger, violence and agitation are steaming out but still remained untamed on Wednesday, as the administration in the northwestern Pakistani city of Abbottabad has announced the release of arrested protestors on the 14th day of the riots that have killed at least seven people and left over 100 wounded.
"All arrested protestors are being released," Pakistan's Interior Minister Rehman Malik told reporters amid the demand to arrest and charge the area police chief and administration for roughing up protestors in the past two days.
The main Karakoram Highway on the traditional silk route is still blocked for the seventh day trapping hundreds of vehicles in the loop, as negotiations between the local administration and the protestors failed to bear fruits.
In a gesture of goodwill, the administration has replaced the divisional police chief and announced the withdrawal of Section- 144 that prohibits rallies, exhibition of arms.
While small groups of protestors are still on loose with tires burning and protestor's erected barricades keeping all main avenues of the city blocked and life still paralyzed.
The paramilitary Frontier Corps is on guard to cover the police that have become retaliatory target of irate protestors.
With Pakistani politicians attempting to gain mileage out of volcanic eruption of the renaming issue of North West Frontier Province as "Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa", engaged in a blame game, the administration has shown flexibility to extinguish the inferno of charged sentiments in the Hindko language speaking Hazara division, the largest administrative unit in the Pushtun-dominant province of 20 million inhabitants.
Analysts believe that the political leaders, who are in a tug- of-war with each other over the non-Pushtun vote bank, are not in a position to roll back the demand for a separate Hazara province now, as the streets are ruled by mobs chanting this popular " mantra."
"The concerns of Hazara people will be addressed politically," Malik told reporters, as deliberations on the 18th Constitutional Amendment package is on the second day in the Senate for formal approval after being passed by the National Assembly with a thumping majority last week.
Renaming the northwest province is the only irritant left unresolved and it can jeopardize the whole applecart because the ethnic Hazara that comprises some 30 percent in the Pushtun majority province refused to move an inch on their demand.
"Heirs of the victims of killing will be compensated," declared the interior minister while giving another soothing gesture, saying that the government respects the desire of Hazara people.
LAHORE: The world of Islam lost a luminary early on Wednesday as Dr. Israr Ahmed breathed his last in Lahore, Pakistan. He died of a massive cardiac arrest, according to media reports.
A veteran Islamic scholar, Dr. Israr was suffering from back pain and heart disorders for a long time. His funeral prayers will be held on Wednesday in Lahore.
Dr. Israr was the head and founder of Tanzeem-e-Islami. He had a huge following in Pakistan, India and Gulf countries, especially in Saudi Arabia.
A medical doctor by profession, Dr. Israr was one of the founding members of the Jamaat-e-Islami.
He was popular for his lectures and TV debates over current Islamic issues and his grasp over Islamic history made him a front-ranking scholar of Islam.
Sania and Shoaib who left late night after the mehndi ceremony from the Mirzas’ residence were geared up to show some latkas and jhatkas at the sangeet. The mehndi on Sania’s hand was done by Hyderabad-based Bhavna Parekh and Sandhya. Bhavna informs, “We have done Arabic mehndi designs on Sania’s hand. We have known her since she was a child. She would always come to us on all special occasions and she wanted us to do the mehndi for her wedding too. We are very happy for the couple and wish them all happiness.” And finally it was time for the close relatives and family friends of Sania and Shoaib to set the stage on fire at the Taj Krishna on Wednesday evening. According to city-based choreographer Aryan Rajput, who put together the show, he had been conducting rehearsals for an hour every day at the Mirza abode for the past one week. “About 20 family members, mostly youngsters, from both sides are performing on stage. We have about 12 to 13 sequences, each of three minutes each and the entire choreography is a 45-minute affair,” he said just before the sangeet started. “Shoaib’s brother is expected to perform a special number and so is Sania’s friend Rakshanda Khan. Sania and Shoaib too might do a number together,” he said and added that he feels “honoured to choreograph an Indo-Pak fusion sangeet as it is all about bonding between two countries and two souls”. Close friends and family members danced to Bollywood hits like Maa Ka Laadla Bigad Gaya, Khajra Re, Desi Girl, Oof Teri Ada, Apni To Jaise Taise and so on. Besides the naach-gaana , Sania’s uncle Talat Aziz sang a special ghazal which he had specially composed for the sangeet.The sangeet also included a special shayari session. At the time of going to press we had news that some Pakistani parliamentarians had already reached Hyderabad and will be presenting a special gift on behalf of the Pakistan President to the couple. A bouquet arrived for the newlyweds from the Bachchans saying ‘All the good wishes for a blissful married life.
Name % Frequency Approx Number Rank
MARY 2.629 3,991,060 1
PATRICIA 1.073 1,628,911 2
LINDA 1.035 1,571,224 3
BARBARA 0.98 1,487,729 4
ELIZABETH 0.937 1,422,451 5
JENNIFER 0.932 1,414,861 6
MARIA 0.828 1,256,979 7
SUSAN 0.794 1,205,364 8
MARGARET 0.768 1,165,894 9
DOROTHY 0.727 1,103,652 10
LISA 0.704 1,068,736 11
NANCY 0.669 1,015,603 12
KAREN 0.667 1,012,567 13
BETTY 0.666 1,011,048 14
HELEN 0.663 1,006,494 15
SANDRA 0.629 954,879 16
DONNA 0.583 885,047 17
CAROL 0.565 857,721 18
RUTH 0.562 853,167 19
SHARON 0.522 792,443 20
MICHELLE 0.519 787,889 21
LAURA 0.51 774,226 22
SARAH 0.508 771,190 23
KIMBERLY 0.504 765,118 24
DEBORAH 0.494 749,937 25
JESSICA 0.49 743,864 26
SHIRLEY 0.482 731,720 27
CYNTHIA 0.469 711,985 28
ANGELA 0.468 710,466 29
MELISSA 0.462 701,358 30
BRENDA 0.455 690,731 31
AMY 0.451 684,659 32
ANNA 0.44 667,960 33
REBECCA 0.43 652,779 34
VIRGINIA 0.43 652,779 35
KATHLEEN 0.424 643,670 36
PAMELA 0.416 631,526 37
MARTHA 0.412 625,453 38
DEBRA 0.408 619,381 39
AMANDA 0.404 613,309 40
STEPHANIE 0.4 607,236 41
CAROLYN 0.385 584,465 42
CHRISTINE 0.382 579,911 43
MARIE 0.379 575,356 44
JANET 0.379 575,356 45
CATHERINE 0.373 566,248 46
FRANCES 0.37 561,694 47
ANN 0.364 552,585 48
JOYCE 0.364 552,585 49
DIANE 0.359 544,995 50
ALICE 0.357 541,958 51
JULIE 0.348 528,296 52
HEATHER 0.337 511,597 53
TERESA 0.336 510,078 54
DORIS 0.335 508,560 55
GLORIA 0.335 508,560 56
EVELYN 0.322 488,825 57
JEAN 0.315 478,199 58
CHERYL 0.315 478,199 59
MILDRED 0.313 475,162 60
KATHERINE 0.313 475,162 61
JOAN 0.306 464,536 62
ASHLEY 0.303 459,981 63
JUDITH 0.297 450,873 64
ROSE 0.296 449,355 65
JANICE 0.285 432,656 66
KELLY 0.283 429,620 67
NICOLE 0.281 426,583 68
JUDY 0.276 418,993 69
CHRISTINA 0.275 417,475 70
KATHY 0.272 412,921 71
THERESA 0.271 411,403 72
BEVERLY 0.267 405,330 73
DENISE 0.264 400,776 74
TAMMY 0.259 393,185 75
IRENE 0.252 382,559 76
JANE 0.25 379,523 77
LORI 0.248 376,486 78
RACHEL 0.242 367,378 79
MARILYN 0.241 365,860 80
ANDREA 0.236 358,269 81
KATHRYN 0.234 355,233 82
LOUISE 0.229 347,643 83
SARA 0.229 347,643 84
ANNE 0.228 346,125 85
JACQUELINE 0.228 346,125 86
WANDA 0.226 343,089 87
BONNIE 0.223 338,534 88
JULIA 0.223 338,534 89
RUBY 0.221 335,498 90
LOIS 0.22 333,980 91
TINA 0.22 333,980 92
PHYLLIS 0.219 332,462 93
NORMA 0.218 330,944 94
PAULA 0.217 329,426 95
DIANA 0.216 327,908 96
ANNIE 0.216 327,908 97
LILLIAN 0.211 320,317 98
EMILY 0.208 315,763 99
ROBIN 0.208 315,763 100
PEGGY 0.208 315,763 101
CRYSTAL 0.207 314,245 102
GLADYS 0.205 311,209 103
RITA 0.204 309,691 104
DAWN 0.202 306,654 105
CONNIE 0.2 303,618 106
FLORENCE 0.2 303,618 107
TRACY 0.197 299,064 108
EDNA 0.197 299,064 109
TIFFANY 0.195 296,028 110
CARMEN 0.195 296,028 111
ROSA 0.194 294,510 112
CINDY 0.192 291,473 113
GRACE 0.189 286,919 114
WENDY 0.185 280,847 115
VICTORIA 0.18 273,256 116
EDITH 0.179 271,738 117
KIM 0.178 270,220 118
SHERRY 0.178 270,220 119
SYLVIA 0.177 268,702 120
JOSEPHINE 0.177 268,702 121
THELMA 0.175 265,666 122
SHANNON 0.175 265,666 123
SHEILA 0.175 265,666 124
ETHEL 0.174 264,148 125
ELLEN 0.173 262,630 126
ELAINE 0.173 262,630 127
MARJORIE 0.173 262,630 128
CARRIE 0.171 259,594 129
CHARLOTTE 0.169 256,557 130
MONICA 0.166 252,003 131
ESTHER 0.166 252,003 132
PAULINE 0.165 250,485 133
EMMA 0.165 250,485 134
JUANITA 0.164 248,967 135
ANITA 0.162 245,931 136
RHONDA 0.162 245,931 137
HAZEL 0.161 244,413 138
AMBER 0.16 242,895 139
EVA 0.159 241,376 140
DEBBIE 0.157 238,340 141
APRIL 0.154 233,786 142
LESLIE 0.154 233,786 143
CLARA 0.153 232,268 144
LUCILLE 0.153 232,268 145
JAMIE 0.153 232,268 146
JOANNE 0.15 227,714 147
ELEANOR 0.15 227,714 148
VALERIE 0.149 226,196 149
DANIELLE 0.149 226,196 150
MEGAN 0.147 223,159 151
ALICIA 0.146 221,641 152
SUZANNE 0.145 220,123 153
MICHELE 0.145 220,123 154
GAIL 0.145 220,123 155
BERTHA 0.143 217,087 156
DARLENE 0.142 215,569 157
VERONICA 0.142 215,569 158
JILL 0.142 215,569 159
ERIN 0.141 214,051 160
GERALDINE 0.141 214,051 161
LAUREN 0.137 207,978 162
CATHY 0.137 207,978 163
JOANN 0.136 206,460 164
LORRAINE 0.135 204,942 165
LYNN 0.135 204,942 166
SALLY 0.135 204,942 167
REGINA 0.133 201,906 168
ERICA 0.13 197,352 169
BEATRICE 0.13 197,352 170
DOLORES 0.129 195,834 171
BERNICE 0.128 194,316 172
AUDREY 0.127 192,798 173
YVONNE 0.126 191,279 174
ANNETTE 0.125 189,761 175
JUNE 0.125 189,761 176
SAMANTHA 0.124 188,243 177
MARION 0.122 185,207 178
DANA 0.122 185,207 179
STACY 0.121 183,689 180
ANA 0.12 182,171 181
RENEE 0.12 182,171 182
IDA 0.118 179,135 183
VIVIAN 0.118 179,135 184
ROBERTA 0.117 177,617 185
HOLLY 0.117 177,617 186
BRITTANY 0.117 177,617 187
MELANIE 0.116 176,099 188
LORETTA 0.115 174,580 189
YOLANDA 0.115 174,580 190
JEANETTE 0.115 174,580 191
LAURIE 0.114 173,062 192
KATIE 0.113 171,544 193
KRISTEN 0.111 168,508 194
VANESSA 0.111 168,508 195
ALMA 0.111 168,508 196
SUE 0.111 168,508 197
ELSIE 0.11 166,990 198
BETH 0.11 166,990 199
JEANNE 0.109 165,472 200
VICKI 0.109 165,472 201
CARLA 0.107 162,436 202
TARA 0.107 162,436 203
ROSEMARY 0.107 162,436 204
EILEEN 0.105 159,400 205
TERRI 0.105 159,400 206
GERTRUDE 0.103 156,363 207
LUCY 0.103 156,363 208
TONYA 0.102 154,845 209
ELLA 0.101 153,327 210
STACEY 0.101 153,327 211
WILMA 0.099 150,291 212
GINA 0.099 150,291 213
KRISTIN 0.099 150,291 214
JESSIE 0.098 148,773 215
NATALIE 0.098 148,773 216
AGNES 0.098 148,773 217
VERA 0.098 148,773 218
WILLIE 0.097 147,255 219
CHARLENE 0.097 147,255 220
BESSIE 0.096 145,737 221
DELORES 0.095 144,219 222
MELINDA 0.094 142,701 223
PEARL 0.094 142,701 224
ARLENE 0.094 142,701 225
MAUREEN 0.092 139,664 226
COLLEEN 0.092 139,664 227
ALLISON 0.092 139,664 228
TAMARA 0.092 139,664 229
JOY 0.091 138,146 230
GEORGIA 0.091 138,146 231
CONSTANCE 0.091 138,146 232
LILLIE 0.09 136,628 233
CLAUDIA 0.09 136,628 234
JACKIE 0.09 136,628 235
MARCIA 0.09 136,628 236
TANYA 0.089 135,110 237
NELLIE 0.089 135,110 238
MINNIE 0.089 135,110 239
MARLENE 0.088 133,592 240
HEIDI 0.088 133,592 241
GLENDA 0.088 133,592 242
LYDIA 0.086 130,556 243
VIOLA 0.086 130,556 244
COURTNEY 0.086 130,556 245
MARIAN 0.086 130,556 246
STELLA 0.085 129,038 247
CAROLINE 0.085 129,038 248
DORA 0.084 127,520 249
JO 0.083 126,002 250
VICKIE 0.082 124,483 251
MATTIE 0.081 122,965 252
TERRY 0.08 121,447 253
MAXINE 0.079 119,929 254
IRMA 0.079 119,929 255
MABEL 0.078 118,411 256
MARSHA 0.078 118,411 257
MYRTLE 0.078 118,411 258
LENA 0.077 116,893 259
CHRISTY 0.077 116,893 260
DEANNA 0.076 115,375 261
PATSY 0.076 115,375 262
HILDA 0.075 113,857 263
GWENDOLYN 0.074 112,339 264
JENNIE 0.073 110,821 265
NORA 0.073 110,821 266
MARGIE 0.072 109,303 267
NINA 0.072 109,303 268
CASSANDRA 0.072 109,303 269
LEAH 0.072 109,303 270
PENNY 0.071 107,784 271
KAY 0.071 107,784 272
PRISCILLA 0.071 107,784 273
NAOMI 0.071 107,784 274
CAROLE 0.071 107,784 275
BRANDY 0.07 106,266 276
OLGA 0.07 106,266 277
BILLIE 0.069 104,748 278
DIANNE 0.069 104,748 279
TRACEY 0.069 104,748 280
LEONA 0.069 104,748 281
JENNY 0.068 103,230 282
FELICIA 0.068 103,230 283
SONIA 0.068 103,230 284
MIRIAM 0.066 100,194 285
VELMA 0.066 100,194 286
BECKY 0.066 100,194 287
BOBBIE 0.065 98,676 288
VIOLET 0.065 98,676 289
KRISTINA 0.065 98,676 290
TONI 0.064 97,158 291
MISTY 0.063 95,640 292
MAE 0.063 95,640 293
SHELLY 0.062 94,122 294
DAISY 0.062 94,122 295
RAMONA 0.062 94,122 296
SHERRI 0.062 94,122 297
ERIKA 0.061 92,604 298
KATRINA 0.061 92,604 299
CLAIRE 0.061 92,604 300
LINDSEY 0.06 91,085 301
LINDSAY 0.06 91,085 302
GENEVA 0.059 89,567 303
GUADALUPE 0.059 89,567 304
BELINDA 0.059 89,567 305
MARGARITA 0.059 89,567 306
SHERYL 0.059 89,567 307
CORA 0.058 88,049 308
FAYE 0.058 88,049 309
ADA 0.057 86,531 310
NATASHA 0.057 86,531 311
SABRINA 0.057 86,531 312
ISABEL 0.057 86,531 313
MARGUERITE 0.056 85,013 314
HATTIE 0.056 85,013 315
HARRIET 0.056 85,013 316
MOLLY 0.055 83,495 317
CECILIA 0.055 83,495 318
KRISTI 0.055 83,495 319
BRANDI 0.055 83,495 320
BLANCHE 0.055 83,495 321
SANDY 0.055 83,495 322
ROSIE 0.055 83,495 323
JOANNA 0.055 83,495 324
IRIS 0.055 83,495 325
EUNICE 0.054 81,977 326
ANGIE 0.054 81,977 327
INEZ 0.053 80,459 328
LYNDA 0.053 80,459 329
MADELINE 0.052 78,941 330
AMELIA 0.052 78,941 331
ALBERTA 0.052 78,941 332
GENEVIEVE 0.051 77,423 333
MONIQUE 0.051 77,423 334
JODI 0.051 77,423 335
JANIE 0.051 77,423 336
MAGGIE 0.051 77,423 337
KAYLA 0.051 77,423 338
SONYA 0.051 77,423 339
JAN 0.051 77,423 340
LEE 0.051 77,423 341
KRISTINE 0.051 77,423 342
CANDACE 0.051 77,423 343
FANNIE 0.05 75,905 344
MARYANN 0.05 75,905 345
OPAL 0.05 75,905 346
ALISON 0.05 75,905 347
YVETTE 0.05 75,905 348
MELODY 0.05 75,905 349
LUZ 0.049 74,386 350
SUSIE 0.049 74,386 351
OLIVIA 0.049 74,386 352
FLORA 0.049 74,386 353
SHELLEY 0.049 74,386 354
KRISTY 0.048 72,868 355
MAMIE 0.048 72,868 356
LULA 0.048 72,868 357
LOLA 0.048 72,868 358
VERNA 0.048 72,868 359
BEULAH 0.048 72,868 360
ANTOINETTE 0.048 72,868 361
CANDICE 0.046 69,832 362
JUANA 0.046 69,832 363
JEANNETTE 0.046 69,832 364
PAM 0.046 69,832 365
KELLI 0.046 69,832 366
HANNAH 0.045 68,314 367
WHITNEY 0.045 68,314 368
BRIDGET 0.045 68,314 369
KARLA 0.044 66,796 370
CELIA 0.044 66,796 371
LATOYA 0.043 65,278 372
PATTY 0.043 65,278 373
SHELIA 0.043 65,278 374
GAYLE 0.043 65,278 375
DELLA 0.043 65,278 376
VICKY 0.043 65,278 377
LYNNE 0.043 65,278 378
SHERI 0.042 63,760 379
MARIANNE 0.042 63,760 380
KARA 0.041 62,242 381
JACQUELYN 0.041 62,242 382
ERMA 0.041 62,242 383
BLANCA 0.041 62,242 384
MYRA 0.04 60,724 385
LETICIA 0.04 60,724 386
PAT 0.04 60,724 387
KRISTA 0.04 60,724 388
ROXANNE 0.04 60,724 389
ANGELICA 0.039 59,206 390
JOHNNIE 0.039 59,206 391
ROBYN 0.039 59,206 392
FRANCIS 0.039 59,206 393
ADRIENNE 0.039 59,206 394
ROSALIE 0.039 59,206 395
ALEXANDRA 0.039 59,206 396
BROOKE 0.039 59,206 397
BETHANY 0.039 59,206 398
SADIE 0.039 59,206 399
BERNADETTE 0.039 59,206 400
TRACI 0.038 57,687 401
JODY 0.038 57,687 402
KENDRA 0.038 57,687 403
JASMINE 0.038 57,687 404
NICHOLE 0.038 57,687 405
RACHAEL 0.038 57,687 406
CHELSEA 0.038 57,687 407
MABLE 0.038 57,687 408
ERNESTINE 0.038 57,687 409
MURIEL 0.038 57,687 410
MARCELLA 0.037 56,169 411
ELENA 0.037 56,169 412
KRYSTAL 0.037 56,169 413
ANGELINA 0.037 56,169 414
NADINE 0.036 54,651 415
KARI 0.036 54,651 416
ESTELLE 0.036 54,651 417
DIANNA 0.036 54,651 418
PAULETTE 0.036 54,651 419
LORA 0.036 54,651 420
MONA 0.035 53,133 421
DOREEN 0.035 53,133 422
ROSEMARIE 0.035 53,133 423
ANGEL 0.035 53,133 424
DESIREE 0.035 53,133 425
ANTONIA 0.035 53,133 426
HOPE 0.034 51,615 427
GINGER 0.034 51,615 428
JANIS 0.034 51,615 429
BETSY 0.034 51,615 430
CHRISTIE 0.034 51,615 431
FREDA 0.034 51,615 432
MERCEDES 0.033 50,097 433
MEREDITH 0.033 50,097 434
LYNETTE 0.033 50,097 435
TERI 0.033 50,097 436
CRISTINA 0.033 50,097 437
EULA 0.033 50,097 438
LEIGH 0.032 48,579 439
MEGHAN 0.032 48,579 440
SOPHIA 0.032 48,579 441
ELOISE 0.032 48,579 442
ROCHELLE 0.032 48,579 443
GRETCHEN 0.032 48,579 444
CECELIA 0.032 48,579 445
RAQUEL 0.031 47,061 446
HENRIETTA 0.031 47,061 447
ALYSSA 0.031 47,061 448
JANA 0.031 47,061 449
KELLEY 0.031 47,061 450
GWEN 0.031 47,061 451
KERRY 0.031 47,061 452
JENNA 0.03 45,543 453
TRICIA 0.03 45,543 454
LAVERNE 0.03 45,543 455
OLIVE 0.03 45,543 456
ALEXIS 0.03 45,543 457
TASHA 0.03 45,543 458
SILVIA 0.029 44,025 459
ELVIRA 0.029 44,025 460
CASEY 0.029 44,025 461
DELIA 0.029 44,025 462
SOPHIE 0.029 44,025 463
KATE 0.029 44,025 464
PATTI 0.029 44,025 465
LORENA 0.029 44,025 466
KELLIE 0.029 44,025 467
SONJA 0.029 44,025 468
LILA 0.029 44,025 469
LANA 0.029 44,025 470
DARLA 0.029 44,025 471
MAY 0.029 44,025 472
MINDY 0.029 44,025 473
ESSIE 0.029 44,025 474
MANDY 0.029 44,025 475
LORENE 0.028 42,507 476
ELSA 0.028 42,507 477
JOSEFINA 0.028 42,507 478
JEANNIE 0.028 42,507 479
MIRANDA 0.028 42,507 480
DIXIE 0.028 42,507 481
LUCIA 0.028 42,507 482
MARTA 0.028 42,507 483
FAITH 0.028 42,507 484
LELA 0.028 42,507 485
JOHANNA 0.028 42,507 486
SHARI 0.028 42,507 487
CAMILLE 0.028 42,507 488
TAMI 0.027 40,988 489
SHAWNA 0.027 40,988 490
ELISA 0.027 40,988 491
EBONY 0.027 40,988 492
MELBA 0.027 40,988 493
ORA 0.027 40,988 494
NETTIE 0.027 40,988 495
TABITHA 0.027 40,988 496
OLLIE 0.027 40,988 497
JAIME 0.027 40,988 498
WINIFRED 0.027 40,988 499
KRISTIE 0.027 40,988 500
MARINA 0.027 40,988 501
ALISHA 0.027 40,988 502
AIMEE 0.027 40,988 503
RENA 0.027 40,988 504
MYRNA 0.026 39,470 505
MARLA 0.026 39,470 506
TAMMIE 0.026 39,470 507
LATASHA 0.026 39,470 508
BONITA 0.026 39,470 509
PATRICE 0.026 39,470 510
RONDA 0.026 39,470 511
SHERRIE 0.026 39,470 512
ADDIE 0.026 39,470 513
FRANCINE 0.025 37,952 514
DELORIS 0.025 37,952 515
STACIE 0.025 37,952 516
ADRIANA 0.025 37,952 517
CHERI 0.025 37,952 518
SHELBY 0.025 37,952 519
ABIGAIL 0.025 37,952 520
CELESTE 0.025 37,952 521
JEWEL 0.025 37,952 522
CARA 0.025 37,952 523
ADELE 0.025 37,952 524
REBEKAH 0.025 37,952 525
LUCINDA 0.025 37,952 526
DORTHY 0.025 37,952 527
CHRIS 0.024 36,434 528
EFFIE 0.024 36,434 529
TRINA 0.024 36,434 530
REBA 0.024 36,434 531
SHAWN 0.024 36,434 532
SALLIE 0.024 36,434 533
AURORA 0.024 36,434 534
LENORA 0.024 36,434 535
ETTA 0.024 36,434 536
LOTTIE 0.024 36,434 537
KERRI 0.024 36,434 538
TRISHA 0.024 36,434 539
NIKKI 0.024 36,434 540
ESTELLA 0.024 36,434 541
FRANCISCA 0.024 36,434 542
JOSIE 0.024 36,434 543
TRACIE 0.024 36,434 544
MARISSA 0.024 36,434 545
KARIN 0.024 36,434 546
BRITTNEY 0.024 36,434 547
JANELLE 0.024 36,434 548
LOURDES 0.024 36,434 549
LAUREL 0.024 36,434 550
HELENE 0.024 36,434 551
FERN 0.024 36,434 552
ELVA 0.024 36,434 553
CORINNE 0.024 36,434 554
KELSEY 0.024 36,434 555
INA 0.023 34,916 556
BETTIE 0.023 34,916 557
ELISABETH 0.023 34,916 558
AIDA 0.023 34,916 559
CAITLIN 0.023 34,916 560
INGRID 0.023 34,916 561
IVA 0.023 34,916 562
EUGENIA 0.023 34,916 563
CHRISTA 0.023 34,916 564
GOLDIE 0.023 34,916 565
CASSIE 0.023 34,916 566
MAUDE 0.023 34,916 567
JENIFER 0.023 34,916 568
THERESE 0.022 33,398 569
FRANKIE 0.022 33,398 570
DENA 0.022 33,398 571
LORNA 0.022 33,398 572
JANETTE 0.022 33,398 573
LATONYA 0.022 33,398 574
CANDY 0.022 33,398 575
MORGAN 0.022 33,398 576
CONSUELO 0.022 33,398 577
TAMIKA 0.022 33,398 578
ROSETTA 0.022 33,398 579
DEBORA 0.022 33,398 580
CHERIE 0.022 33,398 581
POLLY 0.022 33,398 582
DINA 0.022 33,398 583
JEWELL 0.021 31,880 584
FAY 0.021 31,880 585
JILLIAN 0.021 31,880 586
DOROTHEA 0.021 31,880 587
NELL 0.021 31,880 588
TRUDY 0.021 31,880 589
ESPERANZA 0.021 31,880 590
PATRICA 0.021 31,880 591
KIMBERLEY 0.021 31,880 592
SHANNA 0.021 31,880 593
HELENA 0.021 31,880 594
CAROLINA 0.021 31,880 595
CLEO 0.021 31,880 596
STEFANIE 0.021 31,880 597
ROSARIO 0.02 30,362 598
OLA 0.02 30,362 599
JANINE 0.02 30,362 600
MOLLIE 0.02 30,362 601
LUPE 0.02 30,362 602
ALISA 0.02 30,362 603
LOU 0.02 30,362 604
MARIBEL 0.02 30,362 605
SUSANNE 0.02 30,362 606
BETTE 0.019 28,844 607
SUSANA 0.019 28,844 608
ELISE 0.019 28,844 609
CECILE 0.019 28,844 610
ISABELLE 0.019 28,844 611
LESLEY 0.019 28,844 612
JOCELYN 0.019 28,844 613
PAIGE 0.019 28,844 614
JONI 0.019 28,844 615
RACHELLE 0.019 28,844 616
LEOLA 0.019 28,844 617
DAPHNE 0.019 28,844 618
ALTA 0.019 28,844 619
ESTER 0.019 28,844 620
PETRA 0.019 28,844 621
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recently with the buzz surrounding the ninth wedding of the 78-year-old Dame Elizabeth Taylor to her 49-year-old Hollywood agent, Jason Winters.
Though Jason is 29 years her junior, that didn’t stop many who claimed to be close to the legend to comment that she is ‘madly in love’ with him and that he feels the same way for her. Some even went on to insist that though Dame Taylor didn’t believe that she’d fall in love again, her views changed once Jason came into her life. However, the idea of walking down the aisle wasn’t something that many could digest what with some close associates of the actor even going on record to say that the idea of the duo marrying was ‘silly stuff’. Dame Taylor’s complicated love life has included marriages to hotelier Conrad Hilton, actor Michael Wilding, producer Michael Todd, singer Eddie Fisher, actor Richard Burton (twice), US Senator John Warner, and construction worker Larry Fortensky.
When TOI got in touch with Dame Taylor’s office to get a confirmation on her ninth wedding, we received an e-mail that read thus: “Dame Elizabeth has been extremely involved in preparing the Mother’s Day launch of her 12th fragrance, Violet Eyes.” The actor said, “The rumours regarding my engagement simply aren’t true. Jason is my manager and dearest friend. I love him with all my heart.” For those not in the loop, Jason runs a show business agency and has clients like Janet Jackson, the sister of Dame Taylor’s late friend, Michael Jackson.
Meanwhile, another buzz doing the rounds in the Hollywood corridors claims that Dame Taylor is considering a comeback of sorts after 30 years of acting in a remake of 1950 classic Sunset Boulevard about the life of a has-been star. If rumours are to be believed, she is contending with the likes of Glenn Close, Meryl Streep and Barbra Streisand for the £5 million starring role made famous by Gloria Swanson. Colin Farrell is rumoured to be approached to play her leading man.
ISLAMABAD, Apr 13, 2010 (IPS) - Climate change and the probability that a current water shortage would worsen may make constantly bickering neighbours, India and Pakistan, take a closer look at a 50-year-old treaty under which they share rivers originating from the Himalayas.
And while the latest official annual meeting regarding the treaty ended inconclusively in Lahore in March, experts say the two countries would do well to keep talking about the water resources they share.
Danish Mustafa, a water specialist and geography professor at King’s College in London, even says that a review of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) may "be a conduit for encouraging greater trust and interaction in other spheres".
After all, since gaining independence from Britain 60 years ago, India and Pakistan have never seemed to run out of things to quarrel over.
At a Mar. 28-30 journalists’ conference here in the Pakistani capital that focused on regional tensions from water resources, the need for cross- border dialogue to prevent water from becoming a flashpoint of conflict was also discussed.
Indeed, such concerns have once more brought to fore the IWT, which was brokered in 1960 by the World Bank that also acted as guarantor. Under the agreement, India would take the three eastern rivers – Ravi, Sutlej, and Beas – while Pakistan would have the western rivers – Jhelum, Chenab, and Sindh.
But the treaty also gives India, which is the upper riparian country, certain rights over the western rivers including domestic use, navigation, limited agriculture and generation of hydropower. Experts say, though, that it prohibits construction aimed at facilitating storage or diversion of the river by India.
At the media conference organised by LEAD Pakistan, a non-profit group working for environment and development, experts stressed that the worsening water shortage in Pakistan highlights the need for India and Pakistan to revisit the Indus water agreement.
"Pakistan has virtually reached the limits of surface water diversion and groundwater abstraction after a period of rapid expansion following Mangla and Tarbela dams, and installation of a million tube-wells and turbines," Syed Ayub Qutub, an Islamabad-based specialist on water management, said in an interview.
Water availability in Pakistan has plummeted from about 5,000 cubic metres per capita in the early 1950s to less than 1,500 per capita today.
"Pakistan is a largely arid or semi-arid country with less than seven percent of its land area receiving more than 500 millimetres of rain," he added. "The country relies on irrigation for more than 90 percent of its food and fibre production."
Daniyal Hashmi, a civil engineer in Pakistan’s Water and Power Development Authority, noted that when the IWT was negotiated, the three western rivers had sufficient water to support the country’s irrigated agriculture. The cropping intensity then was about 70 percent, he told IPS.
"The Indus irrigation system was designed for this cropping intensity," he explained. "But over the years, cropping intensity increased to about 170 percent."
"At that time the phenomenon of climate change was not known," Hashmi added. "Similarly, minimum flows required for maintaining the ecology of the rivers was also not an issue."
Qutub confirmed this even as he said that the treaty’s flaws included its failure to conform to major international water laws and conventions. He concurred with others at the conference who said that India’s apparent inability to share with Pakistan accurate data about projects in the IWT rivers was a sore point in the arrangement.
"India failed to share data, developed new hydroelectric projects on the western rivers, constructing the Wullar Barrage and storage works on the Jhelum Main without informing Pakistan, and creating live storage capacities behind the barrage far in excess of the treaty allowance," said Qutub.
But he asked as well: "Why didn’t Pakistan invoke the provisions of IWT for more than two decades?"
Qutub says that Pakistan knew as early as 1984 that India was not complying with some of its obligations under the Indus treaty. "The record may reveal negligence by the national leadership, both political and military, as well as bureaucratic buckpassing," he said.
"Pakistan wastes twice the amount of water each year in watercourses than could be stored at Tarbela dam (on the Indus) when it was built (in 1974)," Qutub pointed out. "We grow sugarcane and low-value rice, called Irri, with our precious water resources, when we could import these items at lower cost to the consumers. Head-end farmers steal much of the water of their downstream neighbours."
"First," said Qutub, "we should correct these mistakes."
He also disagreed with those who saw dark war clouds looming over Pakistan and India because of water. "Nations generally cooperate, not go to war, over water."
Water specialist Mustafa added: "There is no harm in reviewing the treaty in the light of climate change, but it needs creative thinking." The prospect of this happening is rather slim, Mustafa himself conceded. But on the off-chance that the treaty would be reviewed, he suggested that the two sides look into the base flow for the three eastern rivers.
"In a climate-change future, those base flows are going to be all the more critical for the health of the ecological systems in downstream Pakistan," said Mustafa. "In return, Pakistan could allow equivalent of base flows in eastern rivers from its three western rivers for India to use." (END)
Shahid Kapoor is not new to controversies. In fact, every time a movie starring the talented actor is ready to unfurl, stories about Shahid having problems with the director surface first, followed by news of romantic liaisons with the film's leading lady. 
In the past, it was said Shahid had serious differences with Priyadarshan [Chup Chup Ke], Aziz Mirza [Kismat Konnection], Vishal Bhardwaj [Kaminey], Anurag Singh [Dil Bole Hadippa!] and Ken Ghosh [Chance Pe Dance]. Is he difficult to work with? "Isn't it strange that people ask this question every time my movie is complete? I am asked to clarify if the director and I see eye to eye… It amuses me no end," Shahid smiles.
Reportedly, Shahid and Parmeet Sethi, the actor who makes his directorial debut with 'Badmaash Company' , had difference of opinion over the climax of the film. "All discussions took place while we were in the [script] reading stages. If any changes were to be made, they had to be implemented before we began filming. Yes, I did express my opinion to Adi [Chopra] and Parmeet about a certain portion in the film. They agreed because they were convinced about it. But there were no issues when we began filming," Shahid clarifies. Shahid feels that Parmeet is a supremely talented director. "I am glad I agreed to work in 'Badmaash Company' Parmeet is a fine storyteller. In fact, I keep wondering, why didn't he take to direction earlier? Direction is his true calling," Shahid states.
Updated at: 1740 PST, Tuesday, April 13, 2010
According to a statement issued on Tuesday, two groups of Hazara Qaumi Ittehad (HQM) held separate meetings with members of MQM’s Coordination Committee at Azizabad in Karachi.
The HQM delegations apprised the MQM of their stance about the ongoing protests in Hazara belt against the renaming of NWFP as Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
The MQM condemned the brutal use of police force at the protestors, in which nine people lost their lives.
In addition, the MQM assured the visiting delegations of their full support on every issue.
SLAMABAD: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani spent a busy day witnessing the ongoing Exercise Azm-e-Nau 3 on Monday.
According to a press release issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), he visited various formations and units participating in the exercise in the field and several logistics installations.
All the armed forces of Pakistan, including the Pakistan Air Force had been fully integrated in the exercise. The first phase of the exercise will end on April 19. During the visit, Commander Southern Command Lieutenant General Khalid Shamim Wyane, Corps Commander Bahwalpur Lieutenant General Naeem Khalid Lodhi and other senior military officers accompanied the COAS.
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari said on Tuesday that the government will pursue its economic reforms agenda for macroeconomic stability despite constraints.
Talking to Mr. Adnan Mazarei, head of the IMF mission for Pakistan, Zardari said that Pakistan is taking all possible measures to accelerate progress in strengthening and extending the scope of the social safety net system.
The president also highlighted various economic measures being taken by the government to stabilize the economy and to provide relief to the poor people.
Zardari said that the war against the militants had inflicted great losses to the economy and left the government with no option but to take a number of unpopular decisions.
He said that the government would stick to its policies of fiscal discipline, critical tax reforms, energy sector reforms, flexible exchange rate and expenditure rationalization.
Mazarei said that the mission appreciated the measures taken by the government for economic recovery and was aware of the difficulties it faced.
Fast bowler Umar Gul and all-rounder Yasir Arafat must Gul, a key contributor to his country's triumph in England last year, hurt his shoulder during a pre-tournament training camp, while Arafat is battling to overcome a calf problem prior to the squad's departure for the Caribbean on April 24. "We had MRI scans on both Gul and Arafat and a radiologist also examined them," team manager Yawar Saeed told AFP. "Gul bowled three overs in the nets with a short run-up and felt no pain, so we are hopeful and will take fitness test on Saturday (April 17). "We have already said no half-fit players will go for an important event like the World Twenty20, so we will examine both players extensively before taking a final decision." The World Twenty20 takes place in West Indies from April 30-May 16. Pakistan are drawn in Group A alongside Australia and Bangladesh.
prove their fitness ahead of Pakistan's ICC World Twenty20 title defence. 
Lahore, Apr.13 (ANI): Controversial Pakistan speedster Muhammed Asif is in for trouble as a local court here has asked the concerned authorities to register a case against him on the plea of his estranged girl friend Veena Malik.
Malik has pleaded to the court to start legal proceedings against Asif for giving her a 'fake' cheque, The News reports.
In her plea, Malik has claimed that she has given 10 million rupees to Asif, and the cheque that the fast bowler had given her to return the money had bounced.
Malik, a noted film and TV actress, has claimed that she had supported Asif both 'emotionally' and 'financially' during his bad days, and now she 'at least' wants her money back.
Malik had earlier sued Asif for recovery of 3.4 million rupees.
"When he (Asif) was banned from cricket and when no one was willing to support or help him I stood by his side and I gave him money which he said he would pay me back when things improved," Malik had said.
"Now that his situation is better he is trying to avoid meeting his commitment but I want my money back, it is my hard earned money," she added.
Malik also claimed that Asif had proposed her on Valentine's Day but she had refused as she wanted to concentrate on her career.
Asif was romantically linked to Malik, and there were rumours last year that both got secretly married in London, which has been denied by both of them.
However, Asif got married to a girl from Lahore, Hina, recently.
According to sources, Asif had assured Malik of marriage once his cricket career was back on track and he was selected in the Pakistan team.
"Veena kept on giving Asif money during his turbulent period. She had to sell her house in Islamabad, a couple of residential plots and gold jewelry to help Asif come out of the mess in which he was," sources privy to the issue said.
"She was madly in love with him, but he dumped her and married someone else. Veena has documentary proof of the money she was giving to Asif for the last two years," sources added. (ANI)
The much talked about Sania- Shoaib wedding finally happened on Monday afternoon at the Taj Krishna hotel at Hyderabad. It certainly came as a surprise for all and a big relief for the Mirzas.
After the nikaah ceremony TOI spotted Sania’s parents Imran and Naseem exiting Taj Krishna, while the newly wed couple stayed in the hotel. According to the hotel sources, “ Sania and Shoaib left the wedding venue after lunch to their room on the 6th floor.” It’s also believed that Sania will now be staying in the hotel till the wedding reception. After the nikaah , family members of Shoaib Malik were spotted relaxing and chatting at the hotel lobby. They were later surrounded by the guests of the hotel and the media. Speaking on the nikaah, a family member said, “ Bahut achi tarah se nikaah ho gayi...hum sab khush hain.”
The security personnel of the hotel however stopped the media from interacting with the family members. There was tight security outside the hotel area too. Two bouncers Mustafa and Sayed have been deputed for the past few days for Sania’s security. Mustafa, who’s also a professional boxer said::We were called for the nikaah at the last minute. hume pata hi nahin tha.” The mehendi, sangeet ceremony and reception will be held in the hotel. The mehendi, an exclusive all-ladies function was held on Tuesday afternoon. Six mehendi artistes were seen making their way to the Mirza residence around 10.30 am. Later, women were seen leaving the home flaunting their mehendi. Dholakwallahs reached the Mirza household at 2 pm. For the mehndi dishes like biryani, halwa, dahi murg ka salan, salad, dum ka chicken, baigan ka subji were served.
The sangeet ceremony which will take place today will have dance performances by close friends of Sania. The much awaited grand wedding reception is tomorrow and will be attended by high profile guests.
Former Miss World and actress Aishwarya Rai, who was supposed to feature on Sony TV’s reality show "Dance Premier League", turned down the offer due to her busy schedules on films and not on account of remuneration, her publicist said on Tuesday.
A recent news story aired by a channel, suggested that Aishwarya was replaced by Madhuri Dixit for the reality shows, citing money as an issue. Aishwarya’s publicist said in a press statement that the report was total fiction. The show is now being judged by Rani Mukerji along with dance guru Shiamak Davar.
Meanwhile, Aishwarya is currently busy shooting with Sanjay Leela’s Guzaarish and ace filmmaker Mani Ratnam’s big budget bilingual tentatively titled Raavan/ Ashokavanam, being simultaneously made in Tamil, Hindi and Telugu. According to sources, she plays the role of Rama’s wife Sita in this flick, a modernized epic of the Ramayana.
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Though Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai have moved on and are seemingly happy leading blissful lives with Katrina and Abhishek respectively, world hasn’t really stopped discussing the couple’s one time involvement and now, we might get to witness some more of it.
According to reports,Salman and Aishwarya’s love story is headed for the big screen. Filmmaker Javed Khan is deriving inspiration from the supposedly forgotten romance.Khan is all set to make a film called ‘Ajab Hai Ishq’ on the famous affair between the two superstars.
It is believed that the flick is all set to get rolling. Javed Khan, who is a lesser known filmmaker will himself produce and act in the film and is extremely confident that the film will attract a lot of audience as it is an emotional story depicting the one-time love between Salman and Ash.
Khan has decided to have a climax much different to the fate that Salman-Ash’s romance met in real and he would rather let the lovers meet in his saga.Well, only time will tell what Salman and Aishwarya’s take on the flick will be like.
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Despite all the lovey-dovey public appearances, star couple Abhishek and Aishwarya Bachchan lost out to actors Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif when it came to being the ’hottest Bollywood couple’ of the decade. Of the 38,648 respondents to an online poll, 36 per cent voted for Sallu and Kat. While Abhi-Ash got 27 per cent, actors Bipasha Basu and John Abraham scored 13 per cent and Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan got barely six per cent of the votes.
The poll, MSN’s Decade Special For Bollywod, also had categories such as ’Hottest liplock of the decade’ and ’Superstar of the decade’. Leading the ’hottest liplock’ category with 39 per cent votes, is Emraan Hashmi and Mallika Sherawat’s famous kiss in the 2004 film Murder. Hrithik Roshan and Ash’s Dhoom 2 smooch and Saifeena’s liplock in Kurbaan came second and third respectively.
Interestingly, all the top three films in the ’Best film’ category – 3 Idiots, Lagaan, Rang De Basanti – are actor Aamir Khan’s blockbusters . In the category for ’Worst Film’, 48 per cent votes went to Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag, followed by Sci-Fi flicks Drona and Love Story 2050.
After maintaining a decorous distance at the promotional event of their film Raajneeti in Delhi a few days back, we hear that Katrina Kaif and Ranbir Kapoor let their guard down while partying at the nightclub owned by Arjun Rampal, one of their co-stars in the film. During the day, the entire cast, also comprising of Nana Patekar and Manoj Bajpai, addressed the media, but during the evening Arjun pulled them all to his nightclub. Then what
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Katrina Kaif and Ranbir Kapoor Dances At Arjun Rampal’s NightClub
Bollywood star Salman Khan is the latest actor from tinsel town to have joined the micro-blogging site Twitter.
"Arbaaz ne kaha ke Tweet karna toh banta hai boss. Chalo now, whoever was being me, party over, baju hatto please (Arbaaz said that I must Tweet. So now whoever was being me, please move aside)," Salman said in his initial posts.
The actor was welcomed on Twitter by jewellery designer Farah Khan Ali who is amongst the most regular celebrities on the website.
"Hey guys please welcome the one and only superstar actor Salman Khan on Twitter @BeingSalmanKhan. Big shout to him," Farah posted.
While a lot of Bollywood actors have joined Twitter, stars like Amitabh Bachchan, Saif Ali Khan, Aamir Khan, Aishwarya Rai, Sushmita Sen, et al, are yet to get bitten by the Twitter bug
Amitabh Bachchan is caught in a political controversy yet again. The 67-year old-actor finds himself in the middle of a row over his presence at government functions in Mumbai and Pune.
Later the same week, his son Abhishek’s posters were removed from an Earth Day function for which he had earlier been declared ambassador, organised by the Congress-run Delhi state government.
On Monday, the Congress party criticised Bachchan for being a brand ambassador for the state of Gujarat, whose chief minister has not been able to shake off the stigma of the infamous 2002 riots.
And Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan avoided the star at a Marathi convention, choosing instead to attend a day before Bachchan’s arrival.
“Am I hallucinating, or is there a pattern in all this!!!??” Bachchan wrote on his blog on Saturday.
Those who have followed Bachchan, or for that matter, the Gandhis closely may know of the bitter rift between the two once close families.
So for the Congress to shun the star seems to follow naturally. This is also not the first political party with which Bachchan has clashed.
Whether it was his campaign for the Uttar Pradesh government, his relationship with Shiv Sena chief Balasaheb Thackeray or the MNS’s violent reaction to his statements, the star has always had an uneasy relationship with the political establishment of the country.
Bachchan’s closeness to former Congress ally Amar Singh and now to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi is also a matter of much conjecture within political circles.
But many are questioning whether it is valid for a political party to question an individual’s choice of friends, or whether Bachchan himself has shifted loyalties once too often.
What do you think? Has the Congress gone too far in “banning” Amitabh Bachchan and his family?
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