10/01/06 - 10/31/06

10/01/06 - 10/31/06

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Total Clips: 52

Outlet		Date	News Type
Development; SIS (4)
Yahoo! Finance	Core Security Appoints Tom Kellermann as Vice President of Security Awareness	10/30/2006	Alum Mention
Rappahannock Record	Gallery schedules open house	10/18/2006	Alum Mention
MetroWest Daily News, The	Kaufman led McAuliffe through difficult time	10/15/2006	Alum Mention
Albert Lea Tribune	Mexican consul to visit Albert Lea Tuesday	10/07/2006	Alum Mention
Provost; SIS (2)
Lexington Herald-Leader - Online	CENTRE GRAD HONORED	10/25/2006	Brief Mention
Ka Leo O Hawai'I	Organization sends computers to Samoa	10/10/2006	Brief Mention
SIS (46)
Washington Institute for Near East Policy	Countering Holocaust Denial in Arab and Muslim Societies A New Approach	10/31/2006	Brief Mention
BBC Radio - Washington DC Bureau	A. Ahmed on radio	10/31/2006	Radio Interview
American Conservative, The	Great Black Hope	10/30/2006	Quote
Washington Post	Targeting Afghan Schoolgirls	10/29/2006	AU Author
Pakistan Link	The Journalist and the Jihadi	10/26/2006	AU Author
South Asian Womens Forum	Black voters to remain loyal to Democrats	10/26/2006	Quote
Gulf Times	Blacks are Democrats' most loyal voting bloc	10/26/2006	Quote
Yahoo! News	Black voters to remain loyal to Democrats	10/25/2006	Quote
CounterPunch	Op-ed: About that Trip to Cuba... When the FBI Came Calling	10/25/2006	AU Author
OhmyNews.com	The Ayatollah's Gambit	10/25/2006	Quote
Washington Post - Online	Blair and the Veil	10/23/2006	AU Author
Kojo Nnamdi Show - WAMU-FM, The	French Riots: One Year Later	10/23/2006	Radio Interview
Kansas City Star	OVERLAND PARK \| Event promotes understanding	10/23/2006	Brief Mention
Washington Post	The Week Ahead	10/22/2006	Calendar Listing
Revealer	Selling Coke to Muslims	10/20/2006	Quote
Salon.com	Globalization and the blue agave	10/19/2006	Brief Mention
Nagaland Post	Sen hopeful of early nod to Indo-US deal	10/18/2006	Brief Mention
Kaumudi	China to 'seriously' implement UN sanctions on NKorea	10/18/2006	Brief Mention
Press Trust of India - United Nations Bureau	Early nod to Indo-US nuke deal will help both nations Sen.	10/17/2006	Brief Mention
ZeeNews.com	Early nod to Indo-US nuke deal will help both nations Sen	10/17/2006	Brief Mention
NewIndPress	Early nod to Indo-US N-deal will help both nations	10/17/2006	Brief Mention
Rediff.com	'Indo-US relations on upward path'	10/17/2006	Brief Mention
Washington Times	Daybook October 17, 2006	10/17/2006	Calendar Listing
News 8 at 5 PM - WGAL-TV	Edmund Ghareeb on TV	10/16/2006	TV Appearance
Syria Times	Syria, Pakistan enjoy close relations, says Ambassador	10/16/2006	Brief Mention
Richmond Times-Dispatch	LIFE ON CAMPUS; The IM-generation blogs and slogs their way to college	10/15/2006	Quote
Payvand Iran News	Rioting of US generals and talking with Iran - Prof. Mowlana	10/13/2006	Quote
Norman Transcript, The	Conference to explore Turkish Islamic movement	10/13/2006	Brief Mention
Islamic Republic News Agency - New York Bureau	Rioting of US generals and talking with Iran - Prof. Mowlana	10/13/2006	Quote
IranMania	Revolt of US generals & call for talks with Iran	10/13/2006	Quote
Pakistan Link	Five Years after September 11 Testing the Clash of Civilizations	10/13/2006	Quote
Brown Daily Herald	Kevin Roose '09 The sound of snobbery	10/13/2006	DRS Mention
Christian Science Monitor	The price of Russia's 'dictatorship of law'	10/12/2006	AU Author
Arabic News	Revolt of American generals; call for US talk with Iran	10/12/2006	Quote
U.S. Newswire	Media Guide To LIFE(at)50-plus - AARP's National Event & Expo	10/12/2006	Brief Mention
Islamic Republic News Agency - New York Bureau	Revolt of American generals and call for US talk with Iran	10/12/2006	Quote
FOXnews.com	Muslim-Themed Products Mimic American Pop Culture Icons	10/12/2006	Quote
FOXnews.com	Mimicking America	10/11/2006	Quote
npr.org	Judea Pearl and Akbar Ahmed's Interfaith Dialogues	10/11/2006	Radio Interview
Fresh Air - National Public Radio	Judea Pearl and Akbar Ahmed's Interfaith Dialogues	10/10/2006	Radio Interview
Pakistan Link	Mozart and Muslims	10/07/2006	AU Author
United Press International	Analysis Will U.S. sell out Kurds again?	10/04/2006	Quote
Monsters and Critics	Will U.S. sell out Kurds again?	10/04/2006	Quote
Progressive, The	Out of balance with the Constitution	10/03/2006	AU Author
Orlando Sentinel	Migrants' remittances to Latin America The good, the bad	10/02/2006	Quote
San Diego Union-Tribune - Online	Migrants' remittances Good and bad	10/02/2006	Quote
No Category Defined (0 Clips)


Core Security Appoints Tom Kellermann as Vice President of Security Awareness 10/30/2006 Yahoo! Finance	Return to Top
BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Core Security Technologies, provider of CORE IMPACT, the first-to-market penetration testing product for assessing specific information security risks, today announced the appointment of Tom Kellermann as vice president of security awareness. In this capacity, Kellermann will be responsible for building relationships with key industry and government partners, and helping further the acceptance of auditing security defenses to reduce organizations' operational risk. In addition, he will continue to participate actively in US, international and industry security working groups, helping these organizations promote improved security practices and policies. if (window.yzq_a) { yzq_a('p', 'P=SzxgldhtfJBOBFhBRUYGNQD3quAIGkVGC5gAB0oB yzq_a('a', ' } 'As an influential voice on security and risk management, Tom has been involved in shaping numerous organizations' approach to security,' said Paul Paget, CEO of Core Security Technologies. 'Tom shares our passion for security and belief in the importance of proactive security and associated risk management. His expertise will help us build the partnerships that will increase industry awareness and adoption of our automated penetration testing solutions.'Kellerman joins Core Security from his most recent role as an independent cybersecurity analyst. Kellermann previously held the position of senior data risk management specialist at the World Bank Treasury Security Team for over six years. In this capacity, he was responsible for cyber intelligence and policy management within the World Bank Treasury and regularly advised central banks around the world regarding their cyber risk posture and layered security architectures.'In today's hostile cyberspace environment, it is essential that organizations regularly test their defenses before the enemy does,' said Kellermann. 'Core's penetration testing product, CORE IMPACT, allows senior management to realize, in advance, the implications of elite attacker tactics. Consequently, it's an exciting time for me to join Core and further our efforts to help organizations worldwide better protect themselves from emerging threats.'Kellermann has also written extensively. Along with Thomas Glaessner and Valerie McNevin, Kellermann co-authored the book, E-safety and Soundness Securing Finance in a New Age, and the white paper, 'E-security Risk Mitigation in Financial Transactions,' and is the author of numerous World Bank white papers on cybersecurity (which are available at http //www.worldbank.org/finance/esecurity). Kellermann serves as a member of the New York Chapter of Infragard, the New York Electronic Crimes Taskforce, the Financial Coalition against Child Pornography, the Anti-Phishing Working Group and is an active member of the American Bar Association's working group on cybercrime. He was also a member of the Department of Homeland Security US-CERT Emerging Threats Working Group. Kellermann holds a master's degree in international political economies from the American University School of International Service and a B.A. from the University of Michigan. He is a Certified Information Security Manager (CISM). About Core Security TechnologiesCore Security Technologies develops strategic solutions that help security-conscious organizations worldwide. The company's flagship product, CORE IMPACT, is the first automated penetration testing product for assessing specific information security threats to an organization. Penetration testing evaluates overall network security and identifies what resources are exposed. It enables organizations to determine if current security investments are detecting and preventing attacks. Core augments its leading technology solution with world-class security consulting services, including penetration testing, software security auditing and related training. Based in Boston, MA and Buenos Aires, Argentina, Core Security Technologies can be reached at 617-399-6980 or on the Web at http //www.coresecurity.com. Contact if (window.yzq_a) { yzq_a('p', 'P=SzxgldhtfJBOBFhBRUYGNQD3quAIGkVGC5gAB0oB yzq_a('a', ' } 'As an influential voice on security and risk management, Tom has been involved in shaping numerous organizations' approach to security,' said Paul Paget, CEO of Core Security Technologies. 'Tom shares our passion for security and belief in the importance of proactive security and associated risk management. His expertise will help us build the partnerships that will increase industry awareness and adoption of our automated penetration testing solutions.' Kellerman joins Core Security from his most recent role as an independent cybersecurity analyst. Kellermann previously held the position of senior data risk management specialist at the World Bank Treasury Security Team for over six years. In this capacity, he was responsible for cyber intelligence and policy management within the World Bank Treasury and regularly advised central banks around the world regarding their cyber risk posture and layered security architectures. 'In today's hostile cyberspace environment, it is essential that organizations regularly test their defenses before the enemy does,' said Kellermann. 'Core's penetration testing product, CORE IMPACT, allows senior management to realize, in advance, the implications of elite attacker tactics. Consequently, it's an exciting time for me to join Core and further our efforts to help organizations worldwide better protect themselves from emerging threats.' Kellermann has also written extensively. Along with Thomas Glaessner and Valerie McNevin, Kellermann co-authored the book, E-safety and Soundness Securing Finance in a New Age, and the white paper, 'E-security Risk Mitigation in Financial Transactions,' and is the author of numerous World Bank white papers on cybersecurity (which are available at http //www.worldbank.org/finance/esecurity). Kellermann serves as a member of the New York Chapter of Infragard, the New York Electronic Crimes Taskforce, the Financial Coalition against Child Pornography, the Anti-Phishing Working Group and is an active member of the American Bar Association's working group on cybercrime. He was also a member of the Department of Homeland Security US-CERT Emerging Threats Working Group. Kellermann holds a master's degree in international political economies from the American University School of International Service and a B.A. from the University of Michigan. He is a Certified Information Security Manager (CISM).

Gallery schedules open house 10/18/2006 Rappahannock Record	Return to Top
Gallery continues jam sessions; open house slated October 21-22 Maryland poets Hiram Larew and Forestine Bynum read from their newly published anthology at Sunrise Studio Gallerys jam session and open mike last Wednesday. ECHOES Voices from Prince Georges County Poets was made possible by a grant from the Prince Georges Arts Council. In addition to their work, it contains poetry by other county residents ages 4 to 83. Poets alternated with musicians, who played a variety of instruments and musical genres. White Stone poet John Pleasants read some of his work, including poetic tributes to host Alvaro Ibaez and to Virginia Poet Laureate Carolyn Kreiter Faronda. The free open mike jam sessions continue every Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. at 127 Whittaker Lane near Hughlett Point. Ibaez and his wife, Denise DeVries, announced an open house October 21 and 22 to open an exhibit by guest photographers Marianne Henderson of White Stone and Starke Jett of Reedville. Musical presentations are coordinated by Celeste Gates. I have been photographing since I was a child - that first Brownie opened great horizons for me, and later I had my own darkroom, but it was only after I retired that I took it up seriously, said Henderson. Her photos have been published in Gourmet magazine, the New York Times, Old House Journal, and various textbooks and brochures. One of her images is the Chesapeake Bay reference for a U.S. postage stamp in the Wonders of America series. Henderson received a bachelors in English at Immaculata College in Pennsylvania, a masters in international relations specializing in Far East studies at the American University, Washington D.C., and attended the Harvard Business School. She held positions in business and financial planning, marketing, sales, customer service and training with Bell Atlantic, Chesapeake and Potomac and AT&T. She retired from Bell Atlantic International. Henderson has lived in, worked, or visited more than 30 countries. Over the past few years, she made a number of trips to Southeast Asia, leading photo tours and working on projects for a non-profit, Global Community Service Foundation, of which she is a director. Her exhibit will feature portraits from Southeast Asia. Jett is a graduate of the College of William and Mary. He studied photography at the Rhode Island School of Design, and at Brooks Institute of Photographic Arts and Science in Santa Barbara, Calif. In 1991 and 1992, he worked on a project documenting the watermen of the Northern Neck in association with the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities. He does freelance editorial work for Chesapeake Bay Magazine, Wooden Boat Magazine, Soundings Magazine and other regional and national publications, and has been published in Englands Classic Boat magazine and other European boating magazines. He also is co-author of a book documenting Chesapeake Bay graveyards, The Chesapeake Book of the Dead. He also has been featured in three other photography books, A Goodly Ship, Treasuring the Chesapeake, and Beacons of the Bay. Jetts artwork has been widely exhibited in shows in Santa Barbara, Richmond, Washington, D.C., Annapolis, Md., Charlottesville, Warsaw and Reedville. His work has won many awards for excellence, including awards from the Virginia Press Association, the Virginia News Photographers Association, and a gold medal from the International Regional Magazine Association for a feature on the Chesapeake Bay log canoes. He manages a photography studio for portraits and commercial work in Reedville. Admission to the art show and open house on October 20 and 21 is free. Local musicians will be featured at 7 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. An open poetry reading will be held at 6 p.m. on Saturday. For directions, contact Ibaez or DeVries at 435-2880, aibanez@rivnet.net, or www.a-ibanez.org/map.

Kaufman led McAuliffe through difficult time 10/15/2006 MetroWest Daily News, The Tyler B. Reed	Return to Top
E-mail Printable Popular Kaufman led McAuliffe through difficult time By Tyler B. Reed/ Daily News Staff Sunday, October 15, 2006 - Updated 12 54 AM EST FRAMINGHAM -- Its ironic, some would say, that a trained conflict negotiator led the McAuliffe Regional Charter Public School during its first five years of existence. When the middle school opened in 200during a dire fiscal year for the town, it drew loads of criticism from residents who felt the school was sucking funds away from the district. It was the schools executive director, Robert Kaufman, who stood up publicly to defend it. 'We opened at the time of the most recent recession, when the town closed a school,' said Kaufman, who announced he will step down at the end of this school year, and feels the charter school was scapegoated for the districts own financial troubles. 'Its been difficult to win the support of the establishment.' Friends of the school credit Kaufman for absorbing the criticism, ardently defending the school he built with his friend Michael Delman and guiding it to the point where this year it expects to survive a crucial state evaluation. Kaufman has a masters degree in international affairs and peace studies from American University and researched strategies for solving conflicts while working in Europe, Africa and Asia. 'Its his training in peace studies and mediation skills that I think served him and the whole Framingham community so well,' said Marc Kenan, executive director of the Massachusetts Charter Public School Association. 'Its those skills that allowed him to navigate the difficulties with the town and the town leadership.' The school was first envisioned in the late 1990s when Kaufman partnered with Delman, a school teacher who had a vision for a middle school where students would enjoy learning. Delmans college roommate from Brown University is Kaufmans brother-in-law. 'My career has really been about new initiatives,' Kaufman said. 'Im more of an entrepreneur.' The two teamed to design the schools charter around the theme of expeditionary learning, then opened the school in 2001. Delman became the principal and Kaufman the director. 'We brought different but complementary pieces to the school,' Delman said. 'He brought the expertise in middle school education,' Kaufman said. 'I brought the expertise in community development.' The school has faced several challenges during its first five years. When the school opened, the Clinton Street building was not ready, and classes met for five weeks in the gymnasium. This year, financial trouble forced the school to lay off Delman. Delman said losing his job was frustrating, but made him 'mostly just sad... to get to not be there.' Kaufman said the tough financial decisions brought the school community closer together. 'The effect that it has had has been a rededication and a galvanization of the community,' said Kaufman, who argues his students are outperforming the district on the MCAS, parents are happy with the school and students are 'juiced about learning.' He said he hopes the schools peace studies courses, in which students learn practical ways to resolve conflicts, will be his lasting legacy. \|\| Your Rating You have not rated this article yet Today's most read articles Updated 2 04 AM ET1.Older women, men face same heart risks The late Rep. Blumer would have turned 65 this week(79)2.Diamond Notes Lyons Fired From Fox(58)3.State officials pay respects to Blumer(53)4.Weather predictions often prove SNOW BLIND(38)5.Dead languages revival unlikely(35) Search the site

Mexican consul to visit Albert Lea Tuesday 10/07/2006 Albert Lea Tribune	Return to Top
Saturday, October 7, 2006 5 36 PM CDT Mexican Consul Nathan Wolf will visit Albert Lea Tuesday to share information about the services offered by the Mexican Consulate in St. Paul.According to Glenna Kristy, Albert Lea Medical Center cultural services supervisor, the Mexican Consulate is relatively new to Minnesota.The consul has been making visits around the state to tell people about the consulate and give them information, Kristy said. I had been to a presentation in Austin, and I felt it was an important thing to do here, especially because we do have a large Mexican population.Kristy said she and Linda Lares of SEMCAC talked to city leaders and members of the Human Rights Commission, who were on board for the idea right away.And since this month's theme for the sesquicentennial celebration is heritage and immigration, we thought it was a good tie-in, Kristy said.The event will be held at Riverland Community College. There will be a social time in the Skylight Room from 5 to 5 30 p.m. A welcome and introduction will be given in the lecture hall by Linda Lares and City Manager Victoria Simonsen from 5 30 to 5 45 p.m. Wolf will speak from 5 45 to 6 45 p.m. and a question-and-answer period will take place from 6 45 to 7 p.m.The public is invited.Wolf was born in 1968 in Mexico City. Wolf majored in marketing at the Instituto Tecnol-gico de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (TEC) and studied international relations at the American University in Washington, D.C.The consul has belonged to the Mexican Foreign Service since 1992 and has held different positions he had been also posted at the Mexican embassies in Montevideo, Uruguay and Washington, D.C.Wolf is also a member of the Mexican Council of Foreign Relations.At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he held diverse positions as private assistant of the Coordinator of Economic Affairs and deputy chief of cabinet for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 2001 to 2003.In 2003, Wolf was appointed to become the diplomatic advisor for the Mexican a position he held until he was designated to be the new Consul of Mexico in Minnesota. Published Oct 07, 2006 - 05 36 01 pm CDT News Index Copyright 2006 Albert Lea Tribune Inc. All rights reserved. A publication.

CENTRE GRAD HONORED 10/25/2006 Lexington Herald-Leader - Online	Return to Top
Shannon Goodpaster, a recent graduate of Centre College in Danville, was awarded the 2006 Sarah Ida Shaw Award from Delta Delta Delta. The award, given to one collegian each year, is the fraternity's top honor. Winners have proven themselves as outstanding motivators within their collegiate chapters, great leaders and positive forces in the lives of friends and family, on campus and within the fraternity. Goodpaster has served her chapter as new member educator and vice president of chapter development. While earning a bachelor's degree in history and international studies, she maintained a 3.92 grade point average and amassed a number of scholastic achievements. She was the recipient of four major scholarships and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. She is pursuing a master's degree in international affairs at American University in Washington, D.C.

Organization sends computers to Samoa 10/10/2006 Ka Leo O Hawai'I Kristen Ciano	Return to Top
NEWS Alleged arsonist still afoot Gubernatorial debate lackluster UH student Shawn Barnes sits next to last year's shipment to Smoa of about 80 computers. He's expecting to send another shipment in December. Ka Leo File Photo • Ka Leo O Hawai'i Organization sends computers to Samoa UH students to make another shipment in December By Kristen Ciano Ka Leo Staff Reporter October 10, 2006 Globalization is happening quickly. Cultures across the world are mixing and technology is spreading across the planet. In the case of cultures that were previously isolated from outside contacts, new influences and the birth of new necessities may cause confusion and difficulties. Taking knowledge from another culture isn't necessarily a bad thing, said Shawn Barnes, a University of Hawai'i at Mnoa graduate student in anthropology. It's what happens, and it's what's happening now. According to Barnes, the solution lies in giving people in these cultures the tools to make choices for themselves. It is for this purpose that Barnes and his colleague Patrick Besha, who studies foreign relations with a concentration in Asia and the Pacific at American University at Washington, D.C., founded Aloha Computers for Education in Smoa (ACES) two years ago. ACES is a nonprofit organization that equips Smoan schools with computers. Barnes taught math and science at Ulimasao College on the island of Savaii as a Peace Corps volunteer. When a New Zealand student donated five computers to Barnes' school, he became the technology expert as well. Eventually, we got the computers up and running, and the kids loved them, he said. They were really psyched. Kids were coming to school early and staying late to use the computers. Although ACES focuses on equipping underfunded rural schools with computers and has supplied five such schools on the island of Savaii with computer labs. Most of the village population wants to develop computer literacy. People there are really interested in learning computers, Barnes said. I used to teach night classes and my classes were always full with people who want to learn. Everyone wanted to come to the night class, all ages, from the village mayor to chiefs to school kids to middle aged women. A good chunk of the population wants to learn computers. With the threat of globalization at most rural villages' back doors, the issue has led Barnes to believe that giving people this knowledge and familiarizing them with approaching technology are the best courses of action. What I'm trying to do is teach basic computer skills so that the rural villages can control their own destinies and not rely on outside sources and influences, he said. Say a resort gets built two villages down. Now you have a lot of money and outside influences with their own goals that may be different from the village goals. If the village has people with technological skills, it provides a counterbalance and gives the village a voice. No one knows how computers will be a part of rural Smoan village life. It seems beneficial then that villagers understand the technology before it encroaches forcefully upon their culture with the introduction of foreign business. This may allow villagers to maintain more control over their environment and way of life. The kids in my class will be chiefs 20 years from now, he said. They're going to encounter things that chiefs now don't have to. Twenty years ago, they didn't have to worry about resorts popping up next door. It would be good if the people had the basic knowledge of how these systems work to guide their village through the pitfalls of globalization. It will be better than not having that knowledge ... The Internet is going to come to Smoa no matter what. It's better if they have an understanding of the issues so they can deal with them when they come up. Many of the difficulties that arise when new products, technology and knowledge are introduced to a relatively isolated culture are due to power inequities. Outsiders control the knowledge and the resources. If villagers already have the knowledge and resources, the inequity is reduced. The villagers have the opportunity to make informed decisions about what they want to let into their culture and can direct their own development. If you take away the magic element of new technologies, Barnes said, such as barcoding systems, it takes away a lot of power from people who control the technology. If the technology works and is not understood how it works, then it's basically magic, and the people who control the magic have some sort of power over the people who don't. In order to become familiar with the technology that will eventually become part of village life and to direct its future accordingly, people need computers. With practice using computers, villagers won't feel intimidated when they come in contact with future technologies. They'll have the confidence and self-reliance to figure them out. It's not just knowledge of different ways to plant corn, Barnes said. It's a system with a mouse and a keyboard and hardware that can be taught. In order to teach the knowledge, you need to have the hardware. You can't read a book about Microsoft Word and know it. You have to sit down and figure it out. He says that in this way, they can limit the control that outside influences have over their lives. After his work with the Peace Corps, Barnes wants to stay involved and continue to help where he can. Everyone likes to help, and ACES is a mechanism for getting old, dusty computers out of closets and business store rooms into Smoa, where they can help other people and maybe help preserve a culture. ACES will make another computer shipment to schools in Smoa in December. To donate computers, visit http //www.aces-samoa.org. Computers must be working, Pentium 3 or better PCs. Laptops of any kind are welcome; they are much easier to store and ship.

Countering Holocaust Denial in Arab and Muslim Societies A New Approach 10/31/2006 Washington Institute for Near East Policy Robert Satloff	Return to Top
Home > North Africa' height=25> PolicyWatch #1158 Special Forum ReportCountering Holocaust Denial in Arab and Muslim Societies A New ApproachFeaturing Robert Satloff, Akbar Ahmed, and Gregg Rickman October 31, 2006 On October 20, 2006, Robert Satloff, Akbar Ahmed, and Gregg Rickman addressed The Washington Institutes Special Policy Forum. Dr. Satloff is the Institutes executive director and author of Among the Righteous Lost Stories from the Holocausts Long Reach into Arab Lands. Dr. Ahmed is the Ibn Khaldun chair of Islamic studies at American University and former Pakistani high commissioner to Great Britain. Dr. Rickman is special envoy for monitoring and combating anti-Semitism with the State Department. The following is a rapporteurs summary of their remarks. Watch streaming video of this event, including a presentation of images and documents from Among the Righteous. ROBERT SATLOFF Of all the forms of anti-Semitism in Arab societies, Holocaust denial is one of the most pernicious and widespread. Generally it takes one of three forms outright denial, Holocaust glorification, and Holocaust minimization or trivialization. One does no favor to Arabs by exempting them from this history, whatever its connection to their political dispute with Israel. And because jihadists conspiracy theories target a coalition of Crusaders and Jews, exempting Arabs from Holocaust history certainly does America no favor either. While extremists are not likely to change their minds, millions of Arabs still have unformed views and are receptive to the lessons of history. The question is how to approach them. If one really wants to alter Arab perceptions of the Holocaust, then it is useful to frame it as an Arab storypreferably a hopeful, constructive, and positive story. So began the search for an Arab who saved a Jew during the Holocaust. The Holocaust, although overwhelmingly a European story, is an Arab story too. The Germans and their allies only briefly controlled North Africa, home to more than half a million Jews; but during this period of controlJune 1940 to May 1943the Nazis, Vichy French collaborators, and their Italian fascist allies applied many of the precursors to the Final Solution. These included not only laws depriving Jews of property, education, livelihood, residence, and free movement, but also torture, slave labor, deportations, and executions. There were no death camps, but many thousands of Jews were consigned to more than 100 brutal labor camps, many of which were solely for Jews. Only about 1 percent of Jews in North Africabetween 4,000 and 5,000perished under Axis control in Arab lands, compared with more than half the Jews of Europe. But had U.S. and British troops not pushed Axis forces from the African continent by May 1943, the Jews of Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and perhaps even Egypt and Palestine almost certainly would have met the same fate as the European Jewry. In all of this, Arabs played a central role. Indeed, Arabs actions were not too different from those of Europeans. With war waging around them, most were indifferent. A percentage collaborated, including Arab officials in royal courts, Arab guards in labor camps, and those who went house to house pointing out where Jews lived. Without the help of local Arabs, at all levels, the persecution of Jews would have been virtually impossible. However, there were also those Arabs who risked everything to help Jews. Arabs welcomed Jews into their homes, guarded Jews valuables so Germans could not confiscate them, shared with Jews their meager rations, and warned Jewish leaders of coming SS raids. The sultan of Morocco and the bey of Tunis provided moral support and, at times, practical help to Jewish subjects. In Vichy-controlled Algiers, Muslim preachers gave Friday sermons forbidding believers from serving as conservators of confiscated Jewish property. Not one Arab broke ranks. There were also remarkable stories of rescue. These include the story of Si Ali Sakkat, who opened his farm to sixty Jewish escapees from an Axis labor camp and hid them until liberation by the Allies. There was also Khaled Abdelwahhab, who scooped up several families in the middle of the night and took them to his countryside estate to protect one of the women from the predations of a German officer bent on rape. There is also strong evidence that the most influential Arab in EuropeSi Kaddour Benghabrit, the rector of the Great Mosque of Parissaved up to one hundred Jews by having the mosques administrative personnel give them certificates of Muslim identity, with which they could evade arrest and deportation. These men, and others, were true heroes. One question worth addressing is why there is a hesitancy to acknowledge these heroes. One reason for this is the conflict with Israel over the past fifty years, but it is not Israel alone that has fueled Arab anti-Semitism. After all, if Arabs made such a clear distinction between Jews and Zionists, then why were 99 percent of Jews in Arab lands compelled to leave in the years after Israels founding? It is important to note that those small remnant communities of Jews still left in Arab lands are themselves among the least likely to talk about what happened during World War II for fear of stirring additional animosity. These storiesboth those of Arab heroes and of villainsare extremely important. Arabs need to hear them. They especially need to hear them from their own teachers, preachers, and leaders. Americans also have a responsibility to help open Arab minds to this forgotten chapter of their history. In the post-September 11 era, investing in toleranceboth at home and abroadis really a national security issue. AKBAR AHMED Among the Righteous is an outstanding achievement and has provided a tremendous service to those looking for new breakthroughs in dialogue. With the help of this book, non-Muslims can see Muslims as human rather than cardboard stereotypes, and Muslims can see themselves also as fully human, acting at times with heroism, with courage, with indifference, even with cruelty. Holocaust denial is tasteless, ignorant, and unacceptable. Anti-Semitism must be fought wherever and whenever it is found. To fight it effectively requires an understanding of Islamophobia, which itself feeds Muslim anti-Semitism. A much more concerted effort must be made to build bridges and convert anger and hatred into friendship and reconciliation. Images so often become the reality. This new book serves as a powerful vehicle to shatter stereotypes. It tells a historical story of societies under siege and on the cusp of change. At the same time it tells the story of Arabs overcoming the challenges of colonialism, offering heroic accounts of individuals risking their lives and making a difference. GREGG RICKMAN Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has remarked that anti-Semitism is more than just a historical fact; it is a current event. Todays anti-Semitism is marked by violence, conspiracy theories, and Holocaust denial. Through the telling of stories of Arabs who risked their lives to save Jews, Among the Righteous seeks to change the way in which Arabs see Jews, themselves, and history. The trajectory of Muslim-Jewish relations need not spiral into the abyss. That Muslims and Jews can find common understanding is not only possible but has already been accomplished through great bravery and selflessness. New generations need to be inoculated against bigotry through education based in tolerance. In order for freedom and democracy to prevail, anti-Semitism in all its forms must be prevented. Only through open talk about commonalities and differences between faiths can we begin to address tensions and misunderstandings. Even the horrors of war could not extinguish simple human generosity. Heroic choices made by some Arabs during the Holocaust provide an important lesson. Polish writer Stanislaw Krajewski asked the question, What behavior is possible in an anti world, in which anti values reign supreme? Many of the stories in Among the Righteous provide a resounding answer to this question. This rapporteurs summary was prepared by Nathan Hodson.

A. Ahmed on radio 10/31/2006 BBC Radio - Washington DC Bureau	Return to Top
Akbar Ahmed was interviewed live on BBC radio

Great Black Hope 10/30/2006 American Conservative, The W. James Antle III	Return to Top
by W. James Antle III Smell it? Its trash from my opponent. Time to take it out. In his campaign to replace retiring Sen. Paul Sarbanes (D-Md.), Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele has appeared in five television commercials, each filmed against a gray background and featuring props ranging from his now famous puppy to a set of garbage cans. The spots emphasize his one-of-the-guys likeability-and assiduously downplay his membership in the Republican Party. Steele is the GOPs best shot for electing a high-profile black candidate in a cycle party strategists had hoped would be the breakout year for African-American Republicans. Even he, puppy ads notwithstanding, is an underdog. An Oct. 2 Mason-Dixon poll shows Steele trailing Democratic Congressman Ben Cardin by 6 points; a poll commissioned by the National Republican Senatorial Committee has the race closer but still finds Cardin ahead. Other black Republicans running this year are faring even worse. Lynn Swann had hoped to ride his local star power as a Hall of Fame wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers to the Pennsylvania governorship in an uphill fight against popular incumbent Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell. But polls show Rendell trouncing Swann by as many as 21 points. Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell is also coming up short in his bid to become the Buckeye States first black governor. The campaign-tracking website Real Clear Politics gives his Democratic opponent, Congressman Ted Strickland, an average lead of 17 points. A fourth closely watched candidate, former Detroit City Councilman Keith Butler, lost the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in Michigan. In May, the Washington Post speculated that Steele, Blackwell, and Swann might make 2006 the year of the black Republican. GOP operatives and conservative commentators picked up the phrase. This could be the year that black voters finally send a strong, concerted message to Democrats, wrote conservative columnist Deborah Simmons in the Washington Times. Stop taking the black vote for granted. Armstrong Williams claimed to USA Today columnist DeWayne Wickham that [t]his is the year of the black conservative voice. Republican National Committee Chairman Ken Mehlman fueled the hype in an interview with PBS commentator Tavis Smiley. You may remember back in 1992 the number of women who were nominees for Senate, and they called it the year of the woman, he told Smiley. The same thing is happening this year with African-Americans, and what Im so pleased about is the majority of them are Republicans. As the Republicans already dismal standing in the black community was battered by events from the Florida recounts to Hurricane Katrina, the chairman of the putatively color-blind party has been quick to portray the uptick in GOP African-American statewide candidates as a deliberate strategy. Weve gone from a model of outreach to a model of inclusion, Mehlman told the Washington Post. Outreach is a top-down approach. Inclusion says, Lets find some really good people and encourage them to run. Mehlman and his predecessor as RNC chairman, Ed Gillespie, certainly encouraged Steele. After Steele jumped from the Maryland GOP chairmanship to the states lieutenant governorship on a ticket with Robert Ehrlich in 2002, he was repeatedly showcased by the national party. At the 2004 Republican National Convention, Steele won a primetime speaking slot and a seat near Vice President Dick Cheney. When Marylands senior senator announced his retirement, President George W. Bush and other party leaders turned to Steele. Bush, former President George H.W. Bush, Karl Rove, and former White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card lent fundraising support. So did Ed Gillespie, who signed on as Steeles national finance chairman and reportedly held an event in his own home to raise $100,000 for the campaign. In eight months, Steele raised nearly $3 million. That makes it all the more ironic that Steele is the most coy of the major black Republicans about his party affiliation. When he declared his candidacy in predominantly black Prince Georges County, he never mentioned he was a Republican. Neither do most of his ads. His campaign has been criticized for designing Another Democrat for Steele signs that some say appear to identify the lieutenant governor as a Democrat himself. Steele complained to reporters-in off-the-record comments he was eventually forced to admit to making-that in Maryland the GOP label is like a scarlet letter. Ken Blackwells task is even harder. He is trying to run as the most principled conservative while simultaneously distancing himself from his state partys other elected officials. On the issues, Blackwell is anti-tax, tough on state spending, and pro-life-but emphatic that he is not the second coming of Bob Taft, Ohios embattled incumbent governor. This mix worked in the Republican primary, where Blackwell rolled up 56 percent of the vote against a white candidate backed by the partys moderate establishment, but has been a tougher sell to the broader electorate. Blackwell is in many ways the opposite of Steele and Swann. He is an experienced campaigner, having served as mayor of Cincinnati and won statewide office three times-the state treasurers race in 1994, elections for secretary of state in 1998 and 2002. Unlike Steele, he had little encouragement from the local GOP. The Taft-Voinovich-DeWine wing of the party would just as soon see Ken Blackwell jump in a lake, says David Bositis, an expert on African-American voting patterns for the Joint Center of Political and Economic Studies. And while Swann has struggled with specifics, Blackwell has detailed policy positions on almost every issue. So why is Blackwell, someone whom Beltway conservatives have long had their eyes on, not doing better? Republican consultant Philip Stutts answers this question with one of his own Have you seen Tafts numbers? Blackwells gambit to distance himself from the man he would succeed has so far failed. With approval ratings hovering around 17 percent, Taft is the most unpopular governor in the country. The struggle has less to do with the fact that these candidates are black Republicans, says Stutts. The problem is they are running in the wrong year. Bositis says 2006s crop of black Republicans couldnt have gotten the nomination at a worse time. Bositis questions the whole year of the black Republican concept, pointing out that the number African-American Republicans running for the House is actually lower than in 1994. As for Blackwell, Steele, and Swann, he cautions against GOP leaders getting too much undeserved credit. The Republicans didnt just say lets nominate a lot of black candidates, argues Bositis. The party in Ohio didnt want Blackwell and in Maryland, who else did they really have besides Steele? Other skeptics suggest the GOPs financial commitment to its black candidates may be faltering. Even Steele has wondered publicly whether his national support might be tapering off. Will my party be bold in its effort to show that its commitment is different from [the Democrats]? he asked reporters in late September. When the RNC announced ad buys on behalf of competitive Senate candidates, Maryland was not on the list of targeted races. Indeed, Republican minority outreach efforts arent always as straightforward as they appear. In his addresses to black and Hispanic groups, Mehlman has repeatedly repudiated the partys supposed Southern Strategy even as Bush and the congressional Republicans rely more heavily on the votes of Southern whites than Richard Nixon or Ronald Reagan ever did. The RNC chairman also claims that without black and Hispanic votes, his party doesnt deserve to win-even though, as TACs Steve Sailer has often pointed out, the GOPs gains among white voters contributed more heavily to their 2004 victories than their much smaller improvements among minorities. Nor would 2006 be the first time a predicted breakthrough among minority voters failed to materialize. Almost every year now is hailed as the year of the black Republican, American University professor Clarence Lusane recently wrote. President Bushs outreach attempts yielded him Goldwater-like percentages among black voters in 2000, with a small increase four years later that evaporated after Katrina. In 1996, the GOP nominated Bob Dole, who voted for the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and Jack Kemp, who has worked tirelessly to court African-Americans, and won just 12 percent of the black vote. That doesnt mean that all is lost for the GOP. Even many critics concede that all three of the major black Republican candidates running this year would have been likely to win in a more GOP-friendly cycle like 2002; Steele is still running a competitive race now. And polls have shown both Blackwell and Steele drawing between 20 and 30 percent of black voters-although experts caution that small sample sizes and other factors should keep prognosticators from drawing premature conclusions. When I was working for [Louisiana gubernatorial candidate] Bobby Jindal we were polling 20 percent among blacks, Stutts recalls. On election day, we got 9 percent. The question is whether those polling numbers will translate into actual votes. Nevertheless, Stutts says party leaders deserve a lot of credit from moving from defense to offense with African-American voters. It will take a better cycle for Republicans generally to determine whether the Mehlman strategy pays dividends. But as it stands right now, the only African-American candidates likely to win statewide are both Democrats-and the year of the black Republican is increasingly looking like the GOPs latest 2006 disappointm

Targeting Afghan Schoolgirls 10/29/2006 Washington Post Ali Rose	Return to Top
After the fall of the Taliban, many believed that girls' education would quickly advance. But now womens' rights are associated with foreign manipulation and schoolgirls become the targets of religious resentment. I recently spent three months in Kabul working for a small NGO that promotes girls education called the Oruj Learning Center. I saw the consequences. Fewer and fewer families are willing to risk their daughters' safety sending them to school. In the provinces girls generally have to walk long distances to get to their school and that, in itself, is often a life-endangering act. Moreover, throughout the country the schools themselves -- especially girls' schools -- have been targeted by insurgent forces. Two of four schools with which my organization worked were burned down last fall. Recently schools with which Oruj partners have experienced increasing dropout rates. The explanation most often articulated by both the girls and their families is 'the lack of female teachers.' As female students mature, the girls and their families feel increasingly uncomfortable facing a male teacher with their faces uncovered. Unfortunately, this perpetuates a cycle in which female students rarely graduate high school in the provinces. Therefore few females become qualified to act as teachers in girls' schools for the next generation. While local development organizations share the rhetoric of their human rights-based and gender-conscious donors, in practice they neglect women. Why? Most Afghans perceive human rights and gender equality as contradictory to their own indigenous interests and beliefs. Development organizations see this happening but fail to modify their strategies. Sustainable change will occur only when Afghanistan's citizens initiate, rather than simply receive, tools for development. Ali Rose is a graduate student at American University. She won our PostGlobal On the Ground Competition this month for best student submission.

The Journalist and the Jihadi 10/26/2006 Pakistan Link Zoladz, Marta	Return to Top
Washington, DC Group picture of the interfaith panelists The French Embassy was full of life on the evening of October 5, 2006. Washingtonian professionals, professors and intelligentsia gathered and sipped on cocktails and discussed current events while waiting for the premiere of a new HBO documentary. La Maison Francaise was hosting the debut of The Journalist and the Jihadi The Murder of Daniel Pearl directed and produced by Ahmad A. Jamal and Ramesh Sharma. Amongst the distinguished guests was Ambassador Akbar Ahmed who not only attended this lavish evening but also took part in the discussion panel moderated by CNNs renowned journalist, Wolf Blitzer. The film narrated by Christian Amanpour explores the lives of two educated men with privileged childhoods but divided ideologies that lead to a tragic end. Pearls story is portrayed through the words of his family, friends, colleagues and State Department employees who were involved in his case. They describe Daniel Pearls ruthless character in seeking understanding in the Muslim world, his love and determination for journalism, the well-organized plot for his kidnapping and the tragic result of his death. The film also explained the life of Omar Sheikh and all the events that led him to become the mastermind of the kidnapping of Daniel Pearl. This intense film shows the animosity and misunderstanding between the divided cultures of the West and Islam. Through actual footage and photographs the audience was introduced to Omar Sheikh as a privileged, young man who attended elite schools in Great Britain and explained the events throughout his life that made him turn to violence in support of his beliefs. Daniel Pearl was living a parallel life in California as the son of a well-educated Jewish family. His career as a journalist advanced rapidly due to his charisma and curiosity that in turn led him to Pakistan in search for answers. The film goes even beyond the two men and explains the law and order situation in Pakistan. The directors paint a vivid picture of the overcrowded streets of Karachi and the chaos within the society. The directors interviewed Pakistani police and Muslim scholars to illustrate what was happening throughout the kidnapping. After the movie the guests sat down to dinner and listened to a panel discussion between two Indian directors Ahmed A. Jamal and Ramesh Sharma and former Pakistani Ambassador to the UK Akbar Ahmed. Wolf Blitzer led the conversation by asking striking questions about the film, what message the directors wanted to convey and current sentiment about Islam. Ambassador Ahmed began the conversation by stating that only in Washington could Indian and Pakistani sit together and agree on issues. Ambassador Ahmed suggested that it is Islam that is under attack and not just one person. We must look at the whole scenario together. This is a challenge for the whole world, he urged. People such as Sheik have brought a negative image to this religion that is not truly representative of what it preaches. Ambassador Ahmed says that the solution is to bridge the cultures through dialogue and showing films such as this one. The two directors explained that this film tries to show that behind every person there is a family, love, peace and relationships and they hope that this will have an emotional effect on people. The panelists agreed that in this divided world that we live in it is important to show films of this degree to explain understanding and what is happening with the growing hostility. After the panelist discussion, Ambassador Ahmed and Wolf Blitzer continued the conversation amongst themselves and with Ambassador Ahmeds team of students from the American University. Ambassador Ahmed introduced his students as the educated, future generation that will work on tolerance and cross- cultural communications. Two of his students, Hailey Woldt and Frankie Martin, who accompanied Ambassador Ahmed on a two-month trip in the Muslim World, shared their experiences of being in Karachi and their journey to build good relations and understanding in the divided world. Marta Zoladz, the student assistant, Ramanathan Coimbatore, Ahmeds teaching assistant and Jonathan Hayden, head assistant also attended the event and had the opportunity to share their experiences with Wolf Blitzer and what they have learned on the importance of interfaith dialogue while working for Akbar Ahmed. As the evening came to an end more questions were asked by the intrigued audience about international relations and current events. A night such as this one does not occur often, where people of different faiths and cultures come together to discuss a tragedy and together through dialogue try to bridge the gap to prevent future disasters from occurring.

Black voters to remain loyal to Democrats 10/26/2006 South Asian Womens Forum	Return to Top
Black voters to remain loyal to Democrats Posted on Wednesday, October 25, 2006 (EST) Republicans have been stymied in their efforts to woo African-American support and black voters are expected to constitute the Democrats' most loyal voting bloc in upcoming US elections. Barack Obama //File Tim Boyle WASHINGTON - After the 2004 presidential election, Republicans stepped up their efforts to recruit blacks, heartened by returns that showed that George W. Bush had garnered a surprisingly high proportion of the African-American vote. But rather than making continued gains, polls show Republican retrenchment in the black community. A survey a year ago by the Wall Street Journal found Bush's support had sunk to a stunning two percent -- an all-time low. When black Americans go to the polls in congressional elections on November 7, my guess is that it is going to be a typical African-American vote, which is going to be 10 percent for the Republican and 90 percent for the Democratic candidate, said David Bositis of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies. As the demographics of the United States change, and a greater proportion of the American electorate is African-American, Latino or Asian, Republicans -- seen by some as the party nearer to conservative whites -- have stepped up efforts to reach out to minorities. Bush earlier this year, for example, finally ended his boycott of the annual meeting of the prominent black group the NAACP, which many of his predecessors in the White House have attended. A heckler is restrained as he shouts at US President George W. Bush during the NAACP Convention AFP/File Jim Watson Republicans also have fielded a handful of high profile black candidates to be their standard bearers for key races this year, including the governorships of Ohio and Pennsylvania, and US Senate seats in Maryland and Michigan. But the party has been hurt by the perception of a slow federal response to last year's Hurricane Katrina disaster -- which hit African-Americans in New Orleans especially hard -- and the continuing US troop presence in Iraq, which black Americans strongly oppose. African-Americans are, and have been from the very beginning, the most anti-war group in the United States, said Bositis, whose center tracks policy issues relevant to black America. They were dubious about going to war to begin with. African-Americans also, by and large, oppose the Republican Party stance on affirmative action, tax cuts, the minimum wage, immigration and education. The party's position on those issues cancels out its successes in recruiting high-profile black candidates for marquee races, some political observers said. None of the crop of black Republican candidates is given a good shot at winning, and they have equally little chance of convincing fellow blacks to abandon the Democrats, whom they see as more closely representing their social and economic interests. George W. Bush (L) and Bruce Gordon AFP/File Jim Watson The resistance of black voters to the Republican Party has little to do with the color of the candidates and everything to do with the nature of the party's policies, Clarence Lusane of American University wrote recently. Bositis said that as far Republican recruitment efforts go, many blacks remain unconvinced, given the demographics and historical underpinnings of the party, that there really is room in the Republican Party for vibrant, active, outspoken black involvement. If you look at the Republican base, the most important part is white southern conservatives, he said. The Democratic Party is a multiracial party. A Democratic majority in the House of Representatives could give four of Washington's most prominent jobs to black lawmakers the chairmanships of the Judiciary, Ways and Means, land Security and Intelligence committees. There is currently one black member of the US Senate, Barack Obama if Illinois, but another black Democrat, US Representative Harold Ford, is making a strong bid for Tennessee's vacant Senate seat. Democrats need a net gain of 15 seats to wrest control of the House and a six-seat gain to take over the Senate. AFP menu2[0] ' ' menu2[1] ' ' menu2[2] ' ' menu2[3] ' ' menu2[4] ' ' menu1[0] ' ' menu1[1] ' ' menu1[2] ' ' menu1[3] ' ' menu1[4] ' ' Recent Topics

Blacks are Democrats' most loyal voting bloc 10/26/2006 Gulf Times	Return to Top
loyal voting bloc in upcoming US elections. After the 2004 presidential election, Republicans stepped up their efforts to recruit blacks, heartened by returns that showed that George W. Bush had garnered a surprisingly high proportion of the African-American vote. But rather than making continued gains, polls show Republican retrenchment in the black community. A survey a year ago by the Wall Street Journal found Bush's support had sunk to a stunning 2% - an all-time low.When black Americans go to the polls in congressional elections on November 7, my guess is that it is going to be a typical African-American vote, which is going to be 10% for the Republican and 90% for the Democratic candidate, said David Bositis of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies. As the demographics of the United States change, and a greater proportion of the American electorate is African-American, Latino or Asian, Republicans - seen by some as the party nearer to conservative whites - have stepped up efforts to reach out to minorities. Bush earlier this year, for example, finally ended his boycott of the annual meeting of the prominent black group the NAACP, which many of his predecessors in the White House have attended. Republicans also have fielded a handful of high profile black candidates to be their standard bearers for key races this year, including the governorships of Ohio and Pennsylvania, and US Senate seats in Maryland and Michigan. But the party has been hurt by the perception of a slow federal response to last year's Hurricane Katrina disaster - which hit African-Americans in New Orleans especially hard - and the continuing US troop presence in , which black Americans strongly oppose.African-Americans are, and have been from the very beginning, the most anti-war group in the United States, said Bositis, whose center tracks policy issues relevant to black America. They were dubious about going to war to begin with.African-Americans also, by and large, oppose the Republican Party stance on affirmative action, tax cuts, the minimum wage, immigration and education.The party's position on those issues cancels out its successes in recruiting high-profile black candidates for marquee races, some political observers said. None of the crop of black Republican candidates is given a good shot at winning, and they have equally little chance of convincing fellow blacks to abandon the Democrats, whom they see as more closely representing their social and economic interests.The resistance of black voters to the Republican Party has little to do with the color of the candidates and everything to do with the nature of the party's policies, Clarence Lusane of American University wrote recently. Bositis said that as far Republican recruitment efforts go, many blacks remain unconvinced, given the demographics and historical underpinnings of the party, that there really is room in the Republican Party for vibrant, active, outspoken black involvement.If you look at the Republican base, the most important part is white southern conservatives, he said. The Democratic Party is a multiracial party.A Democratic majority in the House of Representatives could give four of Washington's most prominent jobs to black lawmakers the chairmanships of the Judiciary, Ways and Means, Homeland Security and Intelligence committees. There is currently one black member of the US Senate, Barack Obama if Illinois, but another black Democrat, US Representative Harold Ford, is making a strong bid for Tennessee's vacant Senate seat. Democrats need a net gain of 15 seats to wrest control of the House and a six-seat gain to take over the Senate. - Blacks are Democrats' most loyal voting blocPublished Thursday, 26 October, 2006, 09 58 AM Doha TimeWASHINGTON Republicans have been stymied in their efforts to woo African-American support and black voters are expected to constitute the Democrats' most loyal voting bloc in upcoming US elections. After the 2004 presidential election, Republicans stepped up their efforts to recruit blacks, heartened by returns that showed that George W. Bush had garnered a surprisingly high proportion of the African-American vote. But rather than making continued gains, polls show Republican retrenchment in the black community. A survey a year ago by the Wall Street Journal found Bush's support had sunk to a stunning 2% - an all-time low.When black Americans go to the polls in congressional elections on November 7, my guess is that it is going to be a typical African-American vote, which is going to be 10% for the Republican and 90% for the Democratic candidate, said David Bositis of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies. As the demographics of the United States change, and a greater proportion of the American electorate is African-American, Latino or Asian, Republicans - seen by some as the party nearer to conservative whites - have stepped up efforts to reach out to minorities. Bush earlier this year, for example, finally ended his boycott of the annual meeting of the prominent black group the NAACP, which many of his predecessors in the White House have attended. Republicans also have fielded a handful of high profile black candidates to be their standard bearers for key races this year, including the governorships of Ohio and Pennsylvania, and US Senate seats in Maryland and Michigan. But the party has been hurt by the perception of a slow federal response to last year's Hurricane Katrina disaster - which hit African-Americans in New Orleans especially hard - and the continuing US troop presence in Iraq, which black Americans strongly oppose.African-Americans are, and have been from the very beginning, the most anti-war group in the United States, said Bositis, whose center tracks policy issues relevant to black America. They were dubious about going to war to begin with.African-Americans also, by and large, oppose the Republican Party stance on affirmative action, tax cuts, the minimum wage, immigration and education.The party's position on those issues cancels out its successes in recruiting high-profile black candidates for marquee races, some political observers said. None of the crop of black Republican candidates is given a good shot at winning, and they have equally little chance of convincing fellow blacks to abandon the Democrats, whom they see as more closely representing their social and economic interests.The resistance of black voters to the Republican Party has little to do with the color of the candidates and everything to do with the nature of the party's policies, Clarence Lusane of American University wrote recently. Bositis said that as far Republican recruitment efforts go, many blacks remain unconvinced, given the demographics and historical underpinnings of the party, that there really is room in the Republican Party for vibrant, active, outspoken black involvement.If you look at the Republican base, the most important part is white southern conservatives, he said. The Democratic Party is a multiracial party.A Democratic majority in the House of Representatives could give four of Washington's most prominent jobs to black lawmakers the chairmanships of the Judiciary, Ways and Means, Homeland Security and Intelligence committees. There is currently one black member of the US Senate, Barack Obama if Illinois, but another black Democrat, US Representative Harold Ford, is making a strong bid for Tennessee's vacant Senate seat. Democrats need a net gain of 15 seats to wrest control of the House and a six-seat gain to take over the Senate. - AFPGulf Times Newspaper, 2006

Black voters to remain loyal to Democrats 10/25/2006 Yahoo! News Griffith, Stephanie	Return to Top
WASHINGTON (AFP) - Republicans have been stymied in their efforts to woo African-American support and black voters are expected to constitute the Democrats' most loyal voting bloc in upcoming US elections. if (window.yzq_a) { yzq_a('p', 'P=wGioQkSOwhXHRhMBRT.SPggOquAIGkU_klIACOfl yzq_a('a', ' } After the 2004 presidential election, Republicans stepped up their efforts to recruit blacks, heartened by returns that showed that George W. Bush had garnered a surprisingly high proportion of the African-American vote. But rather than making continued gains, polls show Republican retrenchment in the black community. A survey a year ago by the Wall Street Journal found Bush's support had sunk to a stunning two percent -- an all-time low. When black Americans go to the polls in congressional elections on November 7, 'my guess is that it is going to be a typical African-American vote, which is going to be 10 percent for the Republican and 90 percent for the Democratic candidate,' said David Bositis of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies. As the demographics of the United States change, and a greater proportion of the American electorate is African-American, Latino or Asian, Republicans -- seen by some as the party nearer to conservative whites -- have stepped up efforts to reach out to minorities. Bush earlier this year, for example, finally ended his boycott of the annual meeting of the prominent black group the NAACP, which many of his predecessors in the White House have attended. Republicans also have fielded a handful of high profile black candidates to be their standard bearers for key races this year, including the governorships of Ohio and Pennsylvania, and US Senate seats in Maryland and Michigan. But the party has been hurt by the perception of a slow federal response to last year's Hurricane Katrina disaster -- which hit African-Americans in New Orleans especially hard -- and the continuing US troop presence in 'African-Americans are, and have been from the very beginning, the most anti-war group in the United States,' said Bositis, whose center tracks policy issues relevant to black America. 'They were dubious about going to war to begin with.' African-Americans also, by and large, oppose the Republican Party stance on affirmative action, tax cuts, the minimum wage, immigration and education. The party's position on those issues cancels out its successes in recruiting high-profile black candidates for marquee races, some political observers said. None of the crop of black Republican candidates is given a good shot at winning, and they have equally little chance of convincing fellow blacks to abandon the Democrats, whom they see as more closely representing their social and economic interests. 'The resistance of black voters to the Republican Party has little to do with the color of the candidates and everything to do with the nature of the party's policies,' Clarence Lusane of American University wrote recently. Bositis said that as far Republican recruitment efforts go, many blacks remain unconvinced, given the demographics and historical underpinnings of the party, that there really is room in the Republican Party for vibrant, active, outspoken black involvement. 'If you look at the Republican base, the most important part is white southern conservatives,' he said. 'The Democratic Party is a multiracial party.' A Democratic majority in the House of Representatives could give four of Washington's most prominent jobs to black lawmakers the chairmanships of the Judiciary, Ways and Means, There is currently one black member of the US Senate, Barack Obama if Illinois, but another black Democrat, US Representative Harold Ford (news, bio, voting record), is making a strong bid for Tennessee's vacant Senate seat. Democrats need a net gain of 15 seats to wrest control of the House and a six-seat gain to take over the Senate.

Op-ed: About that Trip to Cuba... When the FBI Came Calling 10/25/2006 CounterPunch Jimenez, Margaruite Rose	Return to Top
I did not anticipate when I traveled to Cuba for research in March 2006 that the trip would be of interest or concern to the FBI. The purpose of my trip was both transparent and legal. As a full time graduate student conducting research for my thesis, and directly related to my program of study, I'm legally authorized to travel to Cuba under the existing travel restrictions placed on United States Citizens prohibiting their travel to and from Cuba. In light of the legality of travels, I assumed the call was a prank when a woman claiming to be from the FBI telephoned me at American University in Washington, DC in May 2006. Offering to call her back, I guessed that the number was likely to belong to Chinese take-out restaurant. In fact it was the number for the main FBI switchboard where they quickly connected me to Special Agent Alexandra Montiga. She was warm and friendly, saying she'd like to meet with me regarding my work and travel to Cuba. "This is standard," she claimed. "Something we do with everyone who travels to Cuba." I've traveled to Cuba several times over the past four years and never heard anything about this. People I know travel to Cuba all the time, and are rarely if ever contacted by the FBI. This is not a "standard" I was aware of. During a second conversation, the FBI agent asked me why I was hesitant to talk with her, and said that this was "very low-key" and "no big deal," she just wanted to ask me some questions about Cuba. She offered to take me out for lunch or dinner at a restaurant of my choice, stressing repeatedly that this was "informal" and "just the two of us meeting for lunch." During our third conversation the following day, I told the agent I didn't feel comfortable meeting with her without first discussing it with university officials and having a third party present. She asked who I had been talking to about this. Could I give her specific names? I declined. The FBI agent acted personally offended, claiming I was making things more complicated than they needed to be by involving people from my university. I responded that since I was contacted on campus, regarding my travel to Cuba on the university's license, and being asked questions about other university faculty, I felt obligated to let the university know what was going on. I said I would be happy to cooperate, but would like more specific information on exactly why she wanted to talk to me and what she wanted to talk about. The agent said she'd rather not go into it over the phone, but that basically, she wanted to help me. She informed me that the Cuban government had been known to target "certain types" of academics, and she'd like to warn me about things to watch out for, and find out from me if I had experienced any of the "targeting activities" while working in and on Cuba. She told me the meeting was "preventative" so I'd know what to look out for. She assured me, the meeting would be of more use to me, than her or the FBI. She said the FBI did this with all students traveling to Cuba. Again, this was news to me, and all the other people I know who travel frequently to Cuba. I was encouraged by university officials to be cooperative and meet with the FBI, but with a lawyer from the university present and not down at the FBI offices, as had been requested. It turned out that the "informal" lunch invitation I received from Alexandra (just call me Alex), to "chat about Cuba," wasn't extended to a third party. I received a call from Special Agent Montiga (no longer so friendly), confirming that she and her boss in the Counter Intelligence Unit, would meet with me in a conference room at the university with an attorney present. What Agent Montiga claimed over and over again was just a talk between the two of us "more as friends really," to give me information, and help me out, quickly turned into two and a half hours of mostly being questioned by her boss, Fred Buckley. Special Agent Buckley, they made sure to tell me a number of times throughout the conversation, had been involved in the investigation and eventual prosecution of Ana Belen Montes, a Cuban spy who'd infiltrated the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency, and sentenced to 25 years in prison. They didn't want to see anything like that happen to me, they claimed. Not that they were suspecting me of anything, they just wanted to warn me what my work on Cuba could lead to if I wasn't careful about who I worked with. The agents told me that students like myself, were exactly what the Cuban government was looking for. They gave me a detailed step by step account of how a "recruitment effort" takes place between Cuban officials and cooperative or "sympathetic" American citizens. An agent might befriend me for example, maybe ask me out for lunch, or offer to take me to a restaurant of my choice, very "low-key" of course. Then the Cuban Intelligence agent would ask me seemingly innocent questions about my work in Cuba, to try to get a feel for my views and contacts. The Cuban official would try to play things off, they claimed, as though they were just trying to be my friend, trying to help me out and give me information. "Has any of this happened to you or anyone you know?" they asked. The early warning signs they claimed would help me "spot a recruitment effort" by the Cuban government, had been followed almost exactly by Special Agent Alexandra Montiga, during our initial conversations over the phone. Other than that potential "recruitment effort" or "targeting," no, nothing like that had ever happened to me before. Their questions continued, ranging from the very basic to the more personal. Could this be called a "fishing operation"? Why do I go to Cuba? How do I get there? Who first got me interested in Cuba? What are their names? Who do I stay with when I'm there? Am I followed or monitored? Who is responsible for me in Cuba? Who do I report to? Do I meet with members of the Cuban government? Have I ever met Fidel Castro? Would I like to? How much contact do I have with the people at the Cuban Interest Section in DC? Do I ever see them outside of the Interest Section, or invite them to campus? What are their names? Do I recognize any of the photos they have of Cuban Intelligence agents operating in DC and Havana? Do other professors on campus work on Cuba? Do they meet with people in the Cuban government? What are their names? Before the meeting ended they gave me a binder containing information on Cuban counterintelligence operations, articles on people convicted of spying for the Cuban government, the recruitment process used by Cuban intelligence, and a list of "helpful sources" for further reading about the "terrorist activities" conducted by Cuba targeting the United States. In a final attempt to get names of people I was "involved with" who also do Cuba work, Agent Montiga, reiterated how "low-key" this was, and that she didn't see why it was "such a big deal" for me to give them names, and that other students she'd spoken to had been significantly more helpful than I. I apologized but still refused to provide names without knowing the reason I was being asked. Regardless of this fact, they thanked me for my time, said to contact them if I remembered anything I might want to tell them in case something had "slipped" my mind, and that they would be in touch. This was my first encounter with the FBI since I started focusing on Cuba several years ago. I assume it won't be my last. I promise though, that it will be both the first and the last time I allow myself to be intimidated into staying quiet and being "cooperative" when my civil liberties are so blatantly challenged.

The Ayatollah's Gambit 10/25/2006 OhmyNews.com Bright B. Simons	Return to Top
Freudian slip or deliberate threat, Mr. Hosseini of Iran's Foreign Ministry's 'admission' that Tehran could close the Strait of Hormuz 'depending on the kind of sanctions' leveled against the Islamic Republic has brought into sharp focus the most potent weapon available to the bipolar regime in Qom and Tehran disruption of world oil supplies. 2006 wikipedia commons The straits of Hormuz, a waterway connecting the Gulf of Oman to the Arabian Sea, are a series of narrow channels barely 50 km or so at their narrowest point. But the straits are also the conduit for 12 percent of U.S. oil imports, 17 percent of World petroleum supplies, 25 percent of Western Europe's and 66 percent of Japan's. It is tribute to Hormuz's enduring allure that effusions about the wealth associated with the region goes back 2000 years ago to the times of the Roman Poet Horace, as well as to the relatively more recent era of the English Bard Milton some 400 years ago. TODAY'S TOP STORIES Japan Faces Headwinds The Ayatollah's Gambit 'U.S. May Change Policy After Elections' Unfair Beauty Based on Privilege Europe's Club Of Mystery Fenerbahce FROM THE SECTION In India Truth Finally Triumphs The Ayatollah's Gambit Japan Faces Headwinds Australia at Loggerheads With Pacific Leaders China Footwear Giant to Sue EU Mr. Hosseini's comments are hardly unprecedented. In June this year, Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khomeini made identical, but much firmer, threats, also in response to the prospects of U.N. sanctions. But they come at a time of unprecedented anxiety following Kim Jong-il's reckless atomic test. How Iran may close the Hormuz has been the subject of intense study since 1988, when Iranian naval units mined the area towards the close of the country's titanic confrontation with Iraq. The Iranian action prompted deadly showdowns with the U,S, navy, and ultimately led to the shooting down of an Iranian civilian airliner on July 3, 1988, in which 290 passengers died. In the aftermath of the incident, Admiral Crowe, then Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, issued a stiff apology, repeating earlier reports about Iranian hostile acts in the Straits at the time. Some of those reports had suggested that the airliner had been mistaken for an Iranian F-14. Despite the airliner incident, military assessments of the U.S.-Iran clashes in 1988 after these episodes generally concluded that the U.S. had the better of Iran in most frontal and asymmetric engagements. But times have changed. Recent events warrant a bleaker view of future prospects. In March of this year, the head of America's Defense Intelligence Agency -- responsible for coordinating intelligence gathered and analyzed by the four branches of the U.S. military -- Lt. Gen. Michael Maple gave testimony regarding these matters to a US Congressional committee in which he asserted, of Iran's continuing naval buildup, 'when these systems become fully operational, they will significantly enhance Iran's defensive capabilities for the Strait and ability to deny access to the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz.' He was referring to accelerated efforts by Tehran to integrate capabilities it has acquired from China, Russia, and North Korea. Of particular note to Western strategic analysts are North Korean sea and undersea tactical offense equipment that, coupled to other foreign-procured systems, could, as some recent war games conceived by the Pentagon suggest, disable a U.S. carrier group. Carrier groups constitute the capstones of America's global naval strategy. Since his testimony, intelligence assessments have fleshed out the details of Iran's possible strategy. That Iran would rely on asymmetric forces -- such as suicide boats, partially submersible crafts, heat-seeking underwater missiles, and pilot-less aerial drones -- to incapacitate the straits' global logistical function is almost universally accepted as a certain course of action open to the country's war planners. In April of this year, the Harvard-based Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs published a report in which the Hormuz threat, as well as other escalation possibilities, were evaluated. Examples of the risks considered included Iran launching simultaneous or sequential raids on major oil production platforms across the Gulf, particularly in Saudi Arabia; employing chemical WMD to disorient mitigating responses; and sustained missile attacks on Israel. It was calculated that a single anti-vessel mine laid by special or irregular forces would cause shipping to be halted for at least three days to enable U.S. clearance teams to defuse the risk. American mine-clearance capabilities are generally regarded as, in comparison with other naval auxiliary strengths, rather below-par. What would the effects of such Iranian actions be? American University's Inventory of Conflict and Environment, a web database of simulated strategic scenarios run by Dr. James Lee of said University, has a case study of the potential ramifications of such an action. They extend beyond disruption of oil flows, and the 15 percent of world commerce that transits the straits, to horrendous irreparable damage to marine life and a regional conflagration drawing in the wealthy Gulf states, whose relations with Iran, even in times of nominal Islamic solidarity, are frosty. A full-blown conflagration is likely to extend also to the central Asian region where Iranian Intelligence has expended many resources on efforts to cultivate ties with political groups. Motivated in the past by concerns about the Taliban, these activities now proceed in view of a potential escalation in Tehran's nuclear stand-off with the West. The China-dominated Shanghai Cooperation Organization is another forum within which Iran intends to leverage alliances against potential U.S.-led isolation. Outside the Middle East, the Central Asian region is the world's most strategic geopolitical flashpoint over matters of energy and nuclear proliferation. However, a holistic appraisal of the Hormuz threat will certainly indicate it as Iran's 'suicide option.' Unless acted upon in the event of an actual U.S. attack, the world's response would be near-unanimous in condemnation. In fact, of the major powers, the U.S. will suffer least in terms of reduced oil inflows, since it relies least on oil transiting the straits, and also because it has the greatest strategic reserves and the biggest active crude oil inventories. Should the confrontations result in Iran's oil installations being massively hit, the U.S. would again be less severely affected as it bars its companies from investing in Iran's oil economy. All this means that other Western powers forced to bear the brunt of Hormuz's closure would be likely to view Iran's actions in very dim light, reinforcing the regime's isolation. It is doubtful whether even Iran's putative ally China, which obtains about a fifth of its oil via Hormuz and is extremely dependent for its general oil needs on the continued functioning of the Iranian oil economy, would support such a move. But it is the threats nearer to home that are most likely to feature more prominently on the minds of the Ayatollahs and the Revolutionary Guards. Sparking a wider conflagration around Hormuz would almost certainly shut down Iran's oil economy and draw the ire of neighboring Gulf states, which would also be drawn to the brink of economic ruin. It would resurrect now hibernating territorial disputes between Iran and the UAE, for instance, and undermine regional solidarity. In any event Iran, a Shiite and non-Arab theocracy, cannot take for granted the support of its mainly Arab, Sunni monarchical neighbors. Denied this support, at least at the elite level, and having created a war situation in which the very livelihoods of its neighbors are at stake, it would be unable to rely on the notional 'revolts on the streets' it expects will occur across the Middle East in a confrontation between an Islamic state and the West. Governments in the region are no strangers to the use of emergency measures, and given a conflict situation where their use would scarcely be opposed by even the most committed pro-freedom activists, are likely to adopt and dispense with them liberally. Regional elites would also become more receptive to touted alternative oil distribution projects, such as expanding the region's notoriously underdeveloped oil pipelines. Expanding Saudi Arabian controlled pipeline networks would undercut Hormuz's strategic value and thus shift power from Iran to the Arabian peninsula in the longer run. Indeed, closing the Hormuz may well set off a domino effect that might eventually topple the regime itself, particularly if the action persists and anti-regime elements have enough time to move in from abroad with the support of regional intelligence services, mobilize, and use conflict zones as cover. My bet is, rather than actually closing the Hormuz by hostile action, the Ayatollahs would heighten tensions to the extent that the price of oil increases to unbearable levels. They can do so in Shiite-controlled Iraq, by staging mock battle rehearsals in the vicinity of Banda Assar and Abu Masa, close to the straits; reinvigorating past ties amongst Afghanistan's Northern Alliance militias; and perhaps declaring that they have a nuclear capability. I suppose they understand the West as well as any of us and are likely to use the West's own creations against it. Indeed, some analysts reckon that by successfully racking up insurance costs to shipping firms, the Ayatollahs' could exert immense effects on the international oil pricing regime, and maybe even destabilize it. Thus their most potent, near-term feasible weapon remains the revenge of the markets. Hormuz is the last gamble; so, in great tactical tradition, they mention it first. That said, if I were an investor and I knew a company about to invest in some project near the Hormuz, I will be cautious about having anything to do with it. Which is probably why, as you may have guessed, I am no investor.

Blair and the Veil 10/23/2006 Washington Post - Online Venturelli , Shalini	Return to Top
Of all the difficulties Britain faces with its Islamic extremists, who would have thought senior members of Blair's government, including the prime minister himself, would settle on the menace of the veil. While hate-filled men urge death and destruction in mosques, universities and private homes, it is the sight of a concealed woman's face that ignites debate on how to address the grave threat to British society from domestic sources of terrorism. This would seem puzzling at first. Britain's Muslim women who prefer the full face veil, or black niqab, as a form of dress are the least of the dangers to public safety, especially when compared with plots by radicals to stage mass killings on subways, buses and airlines. Why then did the British allow native jihadists to spread their ideology of murder and self-immolation for decades as a form of the good life and then suddenly scold the relatively benign shrouding of the face? The problem has less to do with differences among major political parties -- Labor, Conservative or Liberal -- than with the continuing struggle of British society and institutions to change course from the distinctive approach of the British Empire in its administration of non-European territories. The elite, those administrators of empire, who were schooled for centuries under the peculiar cultural worldview of Eton, Harrow, Oxford and Cambridge, recognized human beings first and foremost as products of primordial affiliation, or religion, race, language, ethnicity and kinship. British governance both at home and abroad assigned individuals and groups to distinctive collectivities or cultures which were then kept apart and dealt with through separate sets of policies. Thus Hindus, Muslims, Arabs, Jews or Bantu tribesmen were all accorded separate and distinctive types of rights and preferences in a manner that reinforced their incompatibilities. Needless to say, this method of forging order among foreign peoples on foreign lands was immensely useful in the exercise of imperial power. Long after the empire had faded, the political consequences live on, this time re-imported and grafted onto British society. Immigrants from former colonies were from the outset socially confined to their "communities." There is no reason why the civil peace forged in foreign lands through a tribal paradigm of management could not function at home. Thus for decades in the post World War II era, the institutions and elites of Britain felt no need to change their own cultural attitudes on the question of how diverse groups co-exist. As a result, radicalization could emerge and spread within the confines of any one community without disturbing the others or necessitating general alarm. Incitement to murder and mayhem were acceptable as long as they took place inside a defined cultural membership and did not spill over to challenge the institutions of British society. When the left assumed the reins of political power in the 1990s, it failed to challenge or transform the growing tribalization of the homeland. Instead, Blair's government, the media, the literati and intellectual classes simply renamed an inherited social model insidious to democratic societies, "multiculturalism," and recruited the state to recognize this theory in law. Thus we arrive at the condition of the "nation of nations." September 11, 2001 was the first day the British ruling class awoke to their historical and conceptual blunder. Under these circumstances, Britain's leaders on the left and right have settled on the veil as a less confrontational step in a long overdue public dialogue on cultural the preconditions for democratic peace. Though controversial in its own right since it treads on individual rights, the issue is by comparison to the fortress of cultural and political extremism that must be engaged, relatively innocuous. One may understand, even sympathize, with the daring of Jack Straw, Blair's former foreign minister, to open the door to this debate several weeks ago by means of a gentle nudge on the cultural separateness that breeds extremism. While no straight line can be drawn from the veil to the murderous martyr, it is still a component of the package that constitutes cultural essentialism, a condition that incubates anti-democratic attitudes of purity and exclusivity, and deep contempt for other faiths and cultural forms. Thus culture is a powerful and independent force shaping an intense debate in which both the cultural legacy of the British toward governance and social peace, and the cultural politics of British Muslims, often confused with religion, is generating a societal collision that will be tumultuous for the very reason of being long delayed. Yet it is also now unavoidable and the social consequences for the British people entirely uncertain. Dr. Venturelli is director of the International Communication Program, and associate professor of International Relations at American University's School of International Service in Washington, D.C. She has written on the development of the Knowledge Society, and her forthcoming work focuses on "Dynamics of Knowledge Culture: Understanding the Global Knowledge Race."

French Riots: One Year Later 10/23/2006 Kojo Nnamdi Show - WAMU-FM, The Nnamdi, Kojo	Return to Top
It's been nearly a year since French youths took to the streets in weeks of violent rioting. With slow progress on issues like unemployment, observers fear a resurgence in violence. Join Kojo for an update on the French riots and a look at lingering political and social tensions. Guests Cathy Schneider, Associate professor of international relations, American University

OVERLAND PARK \| Event promotes understanding 10/23/2006 Kansas City Star	Return to Top
The Crescent Peace Society, which works to enhance understanding of Muslim culture, will have its 10th annual Eid dinner from 6 to 9 p.m. Nov. 5 at the Ritz Charles hotel in Overland Park. The keynote speaker will be Islamic studies professor Akbar Ahmed from American University in Washington, D.C. To purchase tickets before the Oct. 28 deadline, call (913) 752-8019.

The Week Ahead 10/22/2006 Washington Post	Return to Top
Oct. 23-27, 2006 American University hosts forum on emerging technology in China.

Selling Coke to Muslims 10/20/2006 Revealer	Return to Top
Selling Coke to Muslims 16 October 2006 By Blaire Molitor A recent attempts to convince readers that Muslim-themed products mimicing icons of American popular culture are a growing trend in the Islamic world, but the reporter, Catherine Donaldson-Evans, fails to consider one relevant opinion -- that of the Muslims to whom these products are being sold. In her story, Donaldson-Evans calls upon only two sources, neither of whom is identified as a likely consumer of the products (Mecca Beurger King Muslim halal hamburgers) the report decribes. Her first source, Professor Akbar Ahmed, the chair of Islamic Studies at American University, may very well have extensive knowledge regarding Muslim life. The wisdom he imparts in this particular piece, however, has little to do with Islam and instead is focused on American products and their potential market value in the Muslim world. It would have been more constructive, and in turn could have given the piece a more solid tone, to include be a number of Muslim voices and their no doubt varied opinions. While the American media is finally beginning to treat Islam with respect, the continuation of the use of experts, as opposed to a spectrum of actual living Muslims continues to marginalize Muslims and their beliefs. In doing so, it deprives the American public of perspectives they would benefit from hearing. Blaire Molitor is a student at the University of Southern California. The Revealer 2005 Contact Syndicate This Site Powered by

Globalization and the blue agave 10/19/2006 Salon.com Leonard, Andrew	Return to Top
There was one rule for expatriates who wanted to crash in my apartment in Taipei on their first night in-country. If they planned on sleeping on the scruffy tatami mats that covered our living room floor, they had to bring a bottle of Cuervo Gold in tribute. Tequila was hard to come by in the bad old days of the Beer & Wine monopoly in Taiwan, circa 1986. We cher-ished its arrival from far off shores, so much more distant in that pre-Internet era than now. It should go without saying that the bottles were invariably consumed the night they arrived, resulting in ungodly combinations of jet lag and hang-overs the next day, the perfect way to start another tour of duty as Chinese student or English teacher. By the time I left the island tequila was widely available, part of the amazing worldwide success story of the spawn of the blue agave, just one more niche anecdote in the narrative of globalization. And I must note that while the Chinese do have a tendency to tout their historical contributions to civilization, never once did I hear one of the men or women whom I convinced to down his or her first shot claim that the Han people had brewed their own tequila in days of yore. So I was shocked to see this morning, in one of my favorite new China blogs, Jottings From the Granite Studio, a refer-ence to a People's Daily Online news article declaring the discovery of archeological remains of Ming and Qing dynasty distilleries that had produced tequila. What's more: "Archaeological studies show that China had developed mature tequila distilling technology in the late Yuan Dynasty or early Ming Dynasty." There's something wrong here: Tequila, by definition, is only distilled from blue agave succulents grown in the Jal-isco state of Mexico. The name comes from the town of Tequila, which is almost wholly devoted to production of the spirit. The blue agave is indigenous to the central Mexico highlands. There is no way, no how, that Chinese distillers were making tequila in the 14th century. My first suspicion is that there is a translation problem somewhere along the line here. My second would be to wonder whether the Chinese are plotting to undermine Mexico's claim that the intellectual property embodied in "te-quila" is protected under the Geographic Indications provision of the World Trade Organization's Trade Related Aspects Of Intellectual Property agreement. As a case study at American University's fantastic Trade and Environment Data-base (pointed to by Granite Studio) notes, Mexico was the very last country to ratify China's accession to the WTO, partly out of fears that cheap tequila manufactured in central China would flood world markets. As it currently stands, only tequila made from Jaliscan blue agave can be marketed as tequila. But if the Chinese were somehow brewing it in the 14th century, hey, all bets are off. (A side note -- yesterday U.C. Berkeley economic historian Brad DeLong linked to a Trade and Environment Data-base case study on Brazil's answer to tequila, cachaça. (Adios margarita, olá caipirinha!) Today, Granite Studio links to their case study on tequila. Both focused on the efforts of the responsible countries to get "geographic indication" status for their spirits. I am not one who dares ignore the subtle signals of the blogosphere. I surf, and I obey. So, here we go, a quick introduction to the endlessly fascinating topic of geographic indications.) Geographic indications offer a peculiar twist on traditional concepts of intellectual property. They're kind of like trademarks, only they aren't given to specific companies or people, but to regions that incorporate a particular process or material in their production of a product. Thus, there is no limit to the number of companies that can make "tequila" -- as long as they are based in Jalisco and use the blue agave as their base stock. At present the WTO gives geographic indication protection to wines and spirits, but the extension of that status to other goods, like, say, Basmati rice or Roquefort cheese has become a hotly debated topic during ongoing (but currently stalled) trade negotiations. And here is where it gets interesting. The fight for stronger intellectual property protection has traditionally been led by the developed world, in particular, the U.S., the E.U. and Japan. But the fight to extend geographic indication protections has split that alliance. The E.U., with its centuries of traditional food and drink speci-alities, wants more protections. Not only that, it even wants to "claw back" protected status for scores of products that have spawned cheap U.S. imitations, like Kraft's "Parmesan" cheese, or Wisconsin's "feta" cheese. The U.S. is horrified by such revisionism. Increased intellectual property protection is great when it protects the in-terests of American corporations, like Hollywood movie studios, record companies, and the pharmaceutical industry. But when it might threaten the profits of American companies, then, gasp, it's evil protectionism and it must be stopped at all costs. Some analysts have tried to frame the struggle as an Old World-New World split, in contrast to classic North-South splits. But a growing number of developing nations are lining up with the E.U. Just as Brazil has seen with cachaça and Mexico with tequila, geographic indication protections are a way to bolster their own domestic specialties against the low-cost foreign imitators spawned by relentless globalization. As one observer notes, "To assert the importance of a GI is, in part, to assert the importance of local culture and tradition in the face of ever-encroaching globalization." So the next time you hear the whir of a blender crushing ice, lime juice, tequila and triple sec, or watch someone muddling some sugar, lime chunks and cachaça together, think to yourself: That's the sweet sound of fair globalization. We need to hear more of it.

Sen hopeful of early nod to Indo-US deal 10/18/2006 Nagaland Post	Return to Top
Washington, Oct 17 (PTI) The sooner the Indo-US civilian nuclear agreement is in place the better as the deal has acquired a 'symbolic significance' and is a manifestation of a new relationship based on 'trust' and 'mutual benefit', Indian Ambassador to the US Ronen Sen has said. 'I hope that when--I am not saying if-- this agreement, which was reached between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Bush in July last year, is enacted into legislation it will be on the conviction that it is as beneficial for the United States as it is for India,' he said at The India Forum of the School of International Service at American University here yesterday. 'I don't want to push this beyond a point, but sooner it is done the better,' Sen said, adding the civilian nuclear agreement had acquired a certain 'symbolic significance' and that the agreement itself 'is a manifestation of a new relationship which is based on trust' and which is 'firmly set on an upward trajectory'. Speaking during an interactive session, Sen said '...the legislation when it is adopted it will be on the basis of broad bipartisan support as it has happened in the adoption of the legislation in the House of Representatives.' If the Clinton visit of 2000 was memorable, the Bush administration has taken the relationship on a 'much higher level' that, among other things, reflected a fundamental reorientation of American foreign policy, especially as it pertained to seeing India as an emerging regional and potentially a global power, Sen said. The focus of the Indian envoy's address to scholars, students and administrators was on the 'Emerging Strategic Partnership between India and the United States.' The relationship is based on 'mutual benefit', for India and the United States and in a belief that this is good for the world, the Indian envoy said. 'The relationship has been taken to new and unprecedented heights and our relationship in every way is firmly set on an upward trajectory,' Sen remarked, adding 'the higher we reach, the broader the horizon'. Earlier, Sen prefaced his comments on the civilian nuclear deal saying 'it is not appropriate for me as a foreign envoy to comment on a domestic political process' and went on to make the point that deal was beneficial to both countries. Sen pegged not only the importance of understanding where India came from- its civilisational past and cultural heritage- but also to place the emerging bilateral relationship in the framework of regional and global geo- political challenges and realities. In his formal address, Sen sought to counter the argument traditionally put forward that bilateral relations were 'frosty' during the Cold War years and that the real potential developed only after the end of the Cold War. The Indian Ambassador sought to draw upon any number of instances of the US and India going about in a normal fashion including the support given by President Roosevelt for the Indian Independence Movement. He mentioned the influence of the American Constitution on India's constitutional history, US' role in developing Indian institutes of excellence, the role of 'outstanding people' at the time of the Green Revolution and the support given by President Kennedy during the 1962 showdown with China. Sen also pointed out the close relationship between President Ronald Reagan and Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and stressed the fact that the first agreements on science and technology and defence that included the engines for the LCA and the super computer to India were all done in this time period. 'All of these were during the Cold War years' Sen remarked going on to make the point that the bilateral relationship entered a period of 'benign neglect' at the end of the Cold War and until the second term of the Presidency of Bill Clinton. During the interactive session Sen answered on a variety of issues including liberalisation and the pace of reforms. To a question on why the FDI limit in the Insurance sector could not be pushed to 74 per cent Sen argued that India proceeds 'with due deliberation, but we never reverse our decision' and that generally in the reform process 'we have to evolve political consensus'. On the crisis in Sri Lanka, the top Indian diplomat maintained that New Delhi is following the developments very carefully and that India is for a just solution by the people of Sri Lanka that would take into account the legitimate interests of the Tamil citizens within the framework of unity and integrity of Sri Lanka. On North Korea, Ambassador Sen maintained that it is critical for the world to address 'not just symptoms but look at the sources of nuclear proliferation'. As far as the United States-India Free Trade Act, Sen said that the issue has not yet been explored. 'It is an idea we should keep in mind'.

China to 'seriously' implement UN sanctions on NKorea 10/18/2006 Kaumudi	Return to Top
China to 'seriously' implement UN sanctions on NKorea BEIJING Assuring that it would 'seriously' implement the UN sanctions on North Korea, China asked its close ally to adopt a 'responsible' attitude and refrain from escalating tensions as Pyongyang termed the Security Council resolution 'a declaration of war'. 'As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the Chinese side has always implemented the related UNSC Resolutions seriously and in a responsible matter. This time is no exception,' Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Liu Jianchao told reporters here. The remarks came as US increased its pressure on Beijing to join the rest of the world in making UN sanctions 'hurt' Pyongyang. 'On the one hand, we would act in accordance with our commercial regulations and domestic laws and on the other consider acting in accordance with the UNSC Resolution 1718,' he said when asked whether China has started implementing the sanctions on North Korea amid reports that Chinese customs officials were inspecting goods flowing into Pyongyang through the Dandong border trade route. Asked to comment on North Korea's rejection of the UNSC resolution and its latest warning that it will 'mercilessly strike' if its sovereignty is violated, Liu urged Pyomgang to take a responsible attitude and not aggravate the situation on the Korean Peninsula following its nuclear test on October 9. 'We think the UN Security Council Resolution 1718 has sent an important and clear message to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). We hope the DPRK side will seriously treat and respond to the important appeal from the international community. Back channel talks on to resolve Kashmir issue Kasuri ISLAMABAD India and Pakistan are discussing through back channel 'something different' to resolve the Kashmir issue besides their formal standpoints on the dispute, Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri has said. Back channel talks aimed at hammering out a solution to the Kashmir issue that is acceptable to all parties are taking place, he told the media during an Iftar dinner here last night. He was asked about the chances of the settlement of the Kashmir issue in the light of India's stand that borders cannot be changed and Pakistan's stand that LoC is not acceptable. 'Besides formal standpoints of the two countries on Kashmir, something different is being discussed by other sources,' he said in a reference to 'back-channel contacts between former diplomats and other experts from India and Pakistan, but gave no details, Dawn reported today. Kasuri said relations between the two countries have been improving and there has been progress on the Kashmir specific confidence building measures both at diplomatic and other channels. 'There were Indian troops on Pakistan's border in the past but now the situation has changed and both countries are talking to each other on all issues including the core issue of Kashmir,' he was quoted as saying by state-run APP news agency. Travel access initiated by the two countries, travel across the LoC without passport, meeting of Hurriyat leaders with Indian leadership and the visit of APHC leaders to Pakistan are some of the achievements in Pak-India relations which were not at this stage due to stand off Indian forces, he pointed out. UN calls for more investment in agriculture UNITED NATIONS The United Nations urged countries to invest more in agricultural to feed the 850 million cronically malnourished people across the globe, saying in a world which has the means to feed everybody, this continued suffering is 'inconscionable.' In a message to mark World Food Day, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan in a statement said that many countries, including those most in need, have not allocated sufficient resources to farming and rural development. 'There is a need to reverse this trend, and to channel increased public and private resources towards agricultural activities. Such investment must reach beyond infrastructure and irrigation systems to fund broader human development goals, especially the education of rural women and girls who constitute the backbone of most agrarian economies.' The day's theme this year is 'Investing in agriculture for food security', he said. Calling on the affluent to do more for the poor, UN World Food Programme Executive Director James Morris said 'There's nothing wrong with wanting the best for your own children. But next time you upgrade your child's laptop or book those extra tuition sessions, spare a thought for the millions of children whose fingers will never touch a keyboard. They will be lucky if they even learn to read and write or do basic arithmetic. 'We can make a difference. There is more than enough food in the world,' he said. UNICEF says lack of nutrition remains a major killer of children under five, contributing to approximately 50 per cent of the more than 10 million child deaths every year. Pak court orders release of LeT founder ISLAMABAD A Pakistani court ordered the release of Lashkar-e-Toiba founder Hafeez Muhammad Saeed, ignorng the government's argument that his 'increasing activities' could hurt relations with 'neighbouring' countries. In his order, Lahore High Court Judge Justice Akhter Shabbir asked the government to immediately release Saeed, who was detained on August 28, saying his detention was against the constitution and law. According to Saeed's Attorney Nazeer Ahmad Ghazi, the judge held the arrest order and the reasons given by the government as 'unlawful' and ordered his immediate release. A detailed judgement was expected later. The arrest of the head of the self-proclaimed NGO Jamat-ud-Dawa was challenged by his wife Mehmoona Saeed. Even though the government has not given any reasons for the detention of Saeed, it told the Lahore High Court yesterday that one of the reasons for his detention was that his 'increased activities' could hurt relations with neighbouring countries. Early nod to Indo-US nuke deal will help both nations Sen WASHINGTON The sooner the Indo-US civilian nuclear agreement is in place the better as the deal has acquired a 'symbolic significance' and is a manifestation of a new relationship based on 'trust' and 'mutual benefit', Indian Ambassador to the US Ronen Sen has said. 'I hope that when--I am not saying if-- this agreement, which was reached between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Bush in July last year, is enacted into legislation it will be on the conviction that it is as beneficial for the United States as it is for India,' he said at The India Forum of the School of International Service at American University here yesterday. 'I don't want to push this beyond a point, but sooner it is done the better,' Sen said, adding the civilian nuclear agreement had acquired a certain 'symbolic significance' and that the agreement itself 'is a manifestation of a new relationship which is based on trust' and which is 'firmly set on an upward trajectory'. Speaking during an interactive session, Sen said '...The legislation when it is adopted it will be on the basis of broad bipartisan support as it has happened in the adoption of the legislation in the House of Representatives.' If the Clinton visit of 2000 was memorable, the Bush administration has taken the relationship on a 'much higher level' that, among other things, reflected a fundamental reorientation of American foreign policy, especially as it pertained to seeing India as an emerging regional and potentially a global power, Sen said. The focus of the Indian envoy's address to scholars, students and administrators was on the 'Emerging Strategic Partnership between India and the United States.' UK troops pull out of troubled Afghan dist; airstrike kills 16 KABUL British troops pulled out of a troubled district in southern Afghanistan, while a US-led coalition airstrike killed a suspected midlevel Taliban commander and up to 15 other militants, NATO said. The decision to withdraw the British troops from Helmand province's Musa Qala district follows an agreement with tribal elders and the provincial governor, said Mark Laity, a NATO spokesman in Kabul. President Hamid Karzai also supported the move, he said. The troops left 'because of the sustained period of calm,' Laity said, adding that Afghan security forces answerable to the Afghan government would now be in charge of security there. 'There has not been any contact with the Taliban and they are not involved in this.' Musa Qala has been one of the most volatile regions of Helmand, where about 4,000 British troops who deployed to the province in the spring have met with stiffer resistance than expected from resurgent Taliban militants. That resistance has eased a little in recent weeks, but the Taliban have kept up a steady stream of suicide attacks, as the heaviest fighting in Afghanistan since the Islamic militia's ouster from power five years ago rumbles on. Three 500-pound bombs, meanwhile, were dropped on a compound in the Khod Valley of southern Uruzgan province, in support of a NATO-led operation targeting a group of militants who had previously ambushed NATO and Afghan troops, an alliance statement said. The strike killed a suspected midlevel Taliban commander and up to 15 other suspected militants, the statement said. NATO did not name the suspected Taliban commander. Scientists find unusual meteorite in US KANSAS Scientists were excited when they pulled a 70-kilogram meteorite from deep below a wheat field in Kansas, but what got them most electrified was the way they unearthed it. The team yesterday uncovered the find four feet, or just over one metre, under a meteorite-strewn field using new ground-penetrating radar technology that someday might be used on Mars. It was that technology which pinpointed the site and proved for the first time that it could be used to find objects buried deep in the ground and to make an accurate three-dimensional image of them. 'It validates the technique so we can use something similar to that instrument when we go to Mars,' said Patricia Reiff, director of the Rice Space Institute. Such GPR systems had been used in the past to locate smaller meteorites in Antarctica where ice allows easier penetration of the sonar. But until the Kansas dig, the technology had not been successfully used for ground detection in heavy soils -- like on Mars -- to find meteorites or water there. The dig was likely the most documented excavation yet of a meteorite find, with researchers painstakingly using brushes and hand tools to preserve evidence of the impact trail and to date the event of the meteorite strike. Soil samples also were bagged and tagged and organic material preserved for dating purposes. The expedition was put together by the Houston Museum of Natural Science and led by meteorite hunters Steve Arnold and Philip Mani. China to 'seriously' implement UN sanctions on NKorea BEIJING Assuring that it would 'seriously' implement the UN sanctions on North Korea, China asked its close ally to adopt a 'responsible' attitude and refrain from escalating tensions as Pyongyang termed the Security Council resolution 'a declaration of war'. 'As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the Chinese side has always implemented the related UNSC Resolutions seriously and in a responsible matter. This time is no exception,' Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Liu Jianchao told reporters here. The remarks came as US increased its pressure on Beijing to join the rest of the world in making UN sanctions 'hurt' Pyongyang. 'On the one hand, we would act in accordance with our commercial regulations and domestic laws and on the other consider acting in accordance with the UNSC Resolution 1718,' he said when asked whether China has started implementing the sanctions on North Korea amid reports that Chinese customs officials were inspecting goods flowing into Pyongyang through the Dandong border trade route. Asked to comment on North Korea's rejection of the UNSC resolution and its latest warning that it will 'mercilessly strike' if its sovereignty is violated, Liu urged Pyomgang to take a responsible attitude and not aggravate the situation on the Korean Peninsula following its nuclear test on October 9. 'We think the UN Security Council Resolution 1718 has sent an important and clear message to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). We hope the DPRK side will seriously treat and respond to the important appeal from the international community. Denmark leads the way in banning killer fat COPEN HAGEN Two years ago, Denmark declared war on killer fat, making it illegal for any food to have more than two percent transfats. Offenders now face hefty fines -- or even prison terms. The result? Today, hardly anyone notices the difference. The french fries are still crispy. The pastries are still scrumptious. And the fried chicken is still tasty. Denmark's experience offers a hopeful example for places like Canada and New York City, which are considering setting limits on the dangerous artery-clogging fats. Transfatty acids are typically added to processed foods such as cookies, margarine and fast food. They are cheaper to produce than mono-saturated fats, and give a longer shelf life to the foods they are added to. Producers also argue that removing transfat from processed food will change certain tastes and textures beloved by consumers. But they have been called the tobacco of the nutrition world. They lower good cholesterol while raising bad cholesterol. Even consuming less than five grams of transfat -- the amount found in one piece of fried chicken and a side of french fries -- a day has been linked with a 25 percent increased risk of heart disease. 'No other fat at these low levels of intake, has such harmful effects,' said Dariush Mozaffarian, a cardiologist at Harvard's School of Public Health. It is still too early to tell if removing transfat from food in Denmark has improved the country's health. India showcases economic progress in Australian fair SYDNEY India's economic progress and cultural heritage went on display here as part of a famous annual fair of Sydney. India's participation in the 55th Australian National Field Days (ANFD), the country's longest-running agricultural exhibition, as a guest country marks its first presence in a regional event of Australia. During the three-day exhibition which began today, India is showcasing its agricultural, manufacturing, services and technological sectors. The participating companies include Mahindra & Mahindra, (Tractors and Automative Divisions), MRF Tyres, Nasscom, International Tractors, Modern Industries, Madhuri Enterprise, Agrotech Corporation, DJ Impex, Arcom Impex and Investment and R P Incorporated. Indian classical and Bollywood dances and a fashion parade of traditional Indian constumes are also part of the exhibition. Other Indian cultural organisations taking part in the event are Brahma Kumaris and Yoga in Daily Life, which will conduct meditation and yoga demonstrations for visitors. The Indian participation, in the form of 'India Event', is being organised by the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO). India's participation, in the light of its rapid economic progress, has been ensured as part of a 'regional thrust' initiative of Consulate General. India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) is a partner organiser. Indian participation is expected to enhance engagement with Australia, particularly at regional level. 13 killed in north China coal mine blaze BEIJING At least 13 miners were killed and 22 others injured when a fire razed through a coal mine in north China's Hebei Province, local officials confirmed The blaze started around noon yesterday when 63 miners were working underground in the Longxin Coal Mine in Hecun Township of Handan City. Doctors believe the dead were suffocated or poisoned by gas. The 22 injured miners were receiving medical treatment, with one person in a critical condition, Xinhua news agency reported. The blazed is believed to have started with an electrical fire, but investigations are continuing. The Longxin Coal Mine is collectively owned and most of the miners are locals. China is the world's largest coal producer and consumer. However, Chinese coal mines are considered the deadliest due to high rates of accidents. On an average, 12 miners die every day in Chinese coal mines. China to help 148,000 villages out of poverty in five years BEIJING China plans to lift 148,000 villages out of poverty over the next five years as part of the government's efforts to establish a harmonious and well-off society, a senior official said . Addressing the Poverty Reduction Seminar for Developing Countries at Ministerial Level, director of the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development efforts, Liu Jian said the Chinese government will strengthen infrastructure and social services -- and increase villager income -- in the nation's poorest villages, where 80 per cent of the poor population live. According to statistics, 2.365 million people in China still don't have enough food and clothing. And 4.067 million people do not have regular supplies of food and clothing. The Chinese government will also train labourers in poor areas and promote non-farming employment, Liu said. The government will encourage flagship enterprises to promote reform of agricultural structures in poor areas and increase farmers' income, he said. And 260 poverty reduction flagship enterprises identified by the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development will help 12 million poor people. He stressed the Chinese government will continue to make poverty reduction a priority, develop policies for needy people, call on society as a whole to contribute to poverty reduction and promote balanced development of impoverished areas between natural and human resources. Sri Lanka keeps up air attacks as Norway moves to save truce COLOMBO Sri Lankan jets attacked Tamil Tiger areas after the rebels killed over 100 navy personnel in a suicide attack, even as a Norwegian envoy arrived here to arrange talks between the two parties amid mounting fears that the country was headed for full-scale war. The Defence Ministry said that air force jets pounded a Tiger base in Puthukuddierippu yesterday. However, the pro-rebel Tamilnet.Com said two children were killed and 15 others wounded when four jets struck a civilian settlement and destroyed nine homes yesterday. There were no details of today's air attacks. The bombing took place as Norway's peace envoy Jon Hanssen-Bauer arrived to try and save the collapsing ceasefire and arrange talks between the two parties later this month. The government of President Mahinda Rajapakse said it was commited to peace talks despite yesterday's devastating bombing. Yesterday's suicide bombing came as Japan's special peace envoy Yasushi Akashi was holding talks with President Rajapakse on reviving efforts to end the ethnic violence, which has claimed the lives of 60,000 people since 1972. Akashi is due to hold separate talks with the Tigers in the rebel-held town of Kilinochchi . China to 'seriously' implement UN sanctions on NKorea BEIJING Assuring that it would 'seriously' implement the UN sanctions on North Korea, China asked its close ally to adopt a 'responsible' attitude and refrain from escalating tensions as Pyongyang termed the Security Council resolution 'a declaration of war'. 'As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the Chinese side has always implemented the related UNSC Resolutions seriously and in a responsible matter. This time is no exception,' Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Liu Jianchao told reporters here. The remarks came as US increased its pressure on Beijing to join the rest of the world in making UN sanctions 'hurt' Pyongyang. 'On the one hand, we would act in accordance with our commercial regulations and domestic laws and on the other consider acting in accordance with the UNSC Resolution 1718,' he said when asked whether China has started implementing the sanctions on North Korea amid reports that Chinese customs officials were inspecting goods flowing into Pyongyang through the Dandong border trade route. Asked to comment on North Korea's rejection of the UNSC resolution and its latest warning that it will 'mercilessly strike' if its sovereignty is violated, Liu urged Pyomgang to take a responsible attitude and not aggravate the situation on the Korean Peninsula following its nuclear test on October 9. 'We think the UN Security Council Resolution 1718 has sent an important and clear message to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). We hope the DPRK side will seriously treat and respond to the important appeal from the international community. Back channel talks on to resolve Kashmir issue Kasuri ISLAMABAD India and Pakistan are discussing through back channel 'something different' to resolve the Kashmir issue besides their formal standpoints on the dispute, Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri has said. Back channel talks aimed at hammering out a solution to the Kashmir issue that is acceptable to all parties are taking place, he told the media during an Iftar dinner here last night. He was asked about the chances of the settlement of the Kashmir issue in the light of India's stand that borders cannot be changed and Pakistan's stand that LoC is not acceptable. 'Besides formal standpoints of the two countries on Kashmir, something different is being discussed by other sources,' he said in a reference to 'back-channel contacts between former diplomats and other experts from India and Pakistan, but gave no details, Dawn reported today. Kasuri said relations between the two countries have been improving and there has been progress on the Kashmir specific confidence building measures both at diplomatic and other channels. 'There were Indian troops on Pakistan's border in the past but now the situation has changed and both countries are talking to each other on all issues including the core issue of Kashmir,' he was quoted as saying by state-run APP news agency. Travel access initiated by the two countries, travel across the LoC without passport, meeting of Hurriyat leaders with Indian leadership and the visit of APHC leaders to Pakistan are some of the achievements in Pak-India relations which were not at this stage due to stand off Indian forces, he pointed out. UN calls for more investment in agriculture UNITED NATIONS The United Nations urged countries to invest more in agricultural to feed the 850 million cronically malnourished people across the globe, saying in a world which has the means to feed everybody, this continued suffering is 'inconscionable.' In a message to mark World Food Day, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan in a statement said that many countries, including those most in need, have not allocated sufficient resources to farming and rural development. 'There is a need to reverse this trend, and to channel increased public and private resources towards agricultural activities. Such investment must reach beyond infrastructure and irrigation systems to fund broader human development goals, especially the education of rural women and girls who constitute the backbone of most agrarian economies.' The day's theme this year is 'Investing in agriculture for food security', he said. Calling on the affluent to do more for the poor, UN World Food Programme Executive Director James Morris said 'There's nothing wrong with wanting the best for your own children. But next time you upgrade your child's laptop or book those extra tuition sessions, spare a thought for the millions of children whose fingers will never touch a keyboard. They will be lucky if they even learn to read and write or do basic arithmetic. 'We can make a difference. There is more than enough food in the world,' he said. UNICEF says lack of nutrition remains a major killer of children under five, contributing to approximately 50 per cent of the more than 10 million child deaths every year. Pak court orders release of LeT founder ISLAMABAD A Pakistani court ordered the release of Lashkar-e-Toiba founder Hafeez Muhammad Saeed, ignorng the government's argument that his 'increasing activities' could hurt relations with 'neighbouring' countries. In his order, Lahore High Court Judge Justice Akhter Shabbir asked the government to immediately release Saeed, who was detained on August 28, saying his detention was against the constitution and law. According to Saeed's Attorney Nazeer Ahmad Ghazi, the judge held the arrest order and the reasons given by the government as 'unlawful' and ordered his immediate release. A detailed judgement was expected later. The arrest of the head of the self-proclaimed NGO Jamat-ud-Dawa was challenged by his wife Mehmoona Saeed. Even though the government has not given any reasons for the detention of Saeed, it told the Lahore High Court yesterday that one of the reasons for his detention was that his 'increased activities' could hurt relations with neighbouring countries. Early nod to Indo-US nuke deal will help both nations Sen WASHINGTON The sooner the Indo-US civilian nuclear agreement is in place the better as the deal has acquired a 'symbolic significance' and is a manifestation of a new relationship based on 'trust' and 'mutual benefit', Indian Ambassador to the US Ronen Sen has said. 'I hope that when--I am not saying if-- this agreement, which was reached between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Bush in July last year, is enacted into legislation it will be on the conviction that it is as beneficial for the United States as it is for India,' he said at The India Forum of the School of International Service at American University here yesterday. 'I don't want to push this beyond a point, but sooner it is done the better,' Sen said, adding the civilian nuclear agreement had acquired a certain 'symbolic significance' and that the agreement itself 'is a manifestation of a new relationship which is based on trust' and which is 'firmly set on an upward trajectory'. Speaking during an interactive session, Sen said '...The legislation when it is adopted it will be on the basis of broad bipartisan support as it has happened in the adoption of the legislation in the House of Representatives.' If the Clinton visit of 2000 was memorable, the Bush administration has taken the relationship on a 'much higher level' that, among other things, reflected a fundamental reorientation of American foreign policy, especially as it pertained to seeing India as an emerging regional and potentially a global power, Sen said. The focus of the Indian envoy's address to scholars, students and administrators was on the 'Emerging Strategic Partnership between India and the United States.' UK troops pull out of troubled Afghan dist; airstrike kills 16 KABUL British troops pulled out of a troubled district in southern Afghanistan, while a US-led coalition airstrike killed a suspected midlevel Taliban commander and up to 15 other militants, NATO said. The decision to withdraw the British troops from Helmand province's Musa Qala district follows an agreement with tribal elders and the provincial governor, said Mark Laity, a NATO spokesman in Kabul. President Hamid Karzai also supported the move, he said. The troops left 'because of the sustained period of calm,' Laity said, adding that Afghan security forces answerable to the Afghan government would now be in charge of security there. 'There has not been any contact with the Taliban and they are not involved in this.' Musa Qala has been one of the most volatile regions of Helmand, where about 4,000 British troops who deployed to the province in the spring have met with stiffer resistance than expected from resurgent Taliban militants. That resistance has eased a little in recent weeks, but the Taliban have kept up a steady stream of suicide attacks, as the heaviest fighting in Afghanistan since the Islamic militia's ouster from power five years ago rumbles on. Three 500-pound bombs, meanwhile, were dropped on a compound in the Khod Valley of southern Uruzgan province, in support of a NATO-led operation targeting a group of militants who had previously ambushed NATO and Afghan troops, an alliance statement said. The strike killed a suspected midlevel Taliban commander and up to 15 other suspected militants, the statement said. NATO did not name the suspected Taliban commander. Scientists find unusual meteorite in US KANSAS Scientists were excited when they pulled a 70-kilogram meteorite from deep below a wheat field in Kansas, but what got them most electrified was the way they unearthed it. The team yesterday uncovered the find four feet, or just over one metre, under a meteorite-strewn field using new ground-penetrating radar technology that someday might be used on Mars. It was that technology which pinpointed the site and proved for the first time that it could be used to find objects buried deep in the ground and to make an accurate three-dimensional image of them. 'It validates the technique so we can use something similar to that instrument when we go to Mars,' said Patricia Reiff, director of the Rice Space Institute. Such GPR systems had been used in the past to locate smaller meteorites in Antarctica where ice allows easier penetration of the sonar. But until the Kansas dig, the technology had not been successfully used for ground detection in heavy soils -- like on Mars -- to find meteorites or water there. The dig was likely the most documented excavation yet of a meteorite find, with researchers painstakingly using brushes and hand tools to preserve evidence of the impact trail and to date the event of the meteorite strike. Soil samples also were bagged and tagged and organic material preserved for dating purposes. The expedition was put together by the Houston Museum of Natural Science and led by meteorite hunters Steve Arnold and Philip Mani. China to 'seriously' implement UN sanctions on NKorea BEIJING Assuring that it would 'seriously' implement the UN sanctions on North Korea, China asked its close ally to adopt a 'responsible' attitude and refrain from escalating tensions as Pyongyang termed the Security Council resolution 'a declaration of war'. 'As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the Chinese side has always implemented the related UNSC Resolutions seriously and in a responsible matter. This time is no exception,' Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Liu Jianchao told reporters here. The remarks came as US increased its pressure on Beijing to join the rest of the world in making UN sanctions 'hurt' Pyongyang. 'On the one hand, we would act in accordance with our commercial regulations and domestic laws and on the other consider acting in accordance with the UNSC Resolution 1718,' he said when asked whether China has started implementing the sanctions on North Korea amid reports that Chinese customs officials were inspecting goods flowing into Pyongyang through the Dandong border trade route. Asked to comment on North Korea's rejection of the UNSC resolution and its latest warning that it will 'mercilessly strike' if its sovereignty is violated, Liu urged Pyomgang to take a responsible attitude and not aggravate the situation on the Korean Peninsula following its nuclear test on October 9. 'We think the UN Security Council Resolution 1718 has sent an important and clear message to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). We hope the DPRK side will seriously treat and respond to the important appeal from the international community. Denmark leads the way in banning killer fat COPEN HAGEN Two years ago, Denmark declared war on killer fat, making it illegal for any food to have more than two percent transfats. Offenders now face hefty fines -- or even prison terms. The result? Today, hardly anyone notices the difference. The french fries are still crispy. The pastries are still scrumptious. And the fried chicken is still tasty. Denmark's experience offers a hopeful example for places like Canada and New York City, which are considering setting limits on the dangerous artery-clogging fats. Transfatty acids are typically added to processed foods such as cookies, margarine and fast food. They are cheaper to produce than mono-saturated fats, and give a longer shelf life to the foods they are added to. Producers also argue that removing transfat from processed food will change certain tastes and textures beloved by consumers. But they have been called the tobacco of the nutrition world. They lower good cholesterol while raising bad cholesterol. Even consuming less than five grams of transfat -- the amount found in one piece of fried chicken and a side of french fries -- a day has been linked with a 25 percent increased risk of heart disease. 'No other fat at these low levels of intake, has such harmful effects,' said Dariush Mozaffarian, a cardiologist at Harvard's School of Public Health. It is still too early to tell if removing transfat from food in Denmark has improved the country's health. India showcases economic progress in Australian fair SYDNEY India's economic progress and cultural heritage went on display here as part of a famous annual fair of Sydney. India's participation in the 55th Australian National Field Days (ANFD), the country's longest-running agricultural exhibition, as a guest country marks its first presence in a regional event of Australia. During the three-day exhibition which began today, India is showcasing its agricultural, manufacturing, services and technological sectors. The participating companies include Mahindra & Mahindra, (Tractors and Automative Divisions), MRF Tyres, Nasscom, International Tractors, Modern Industries, Madhuri Enterprise, Agrotech Corporation, DJ Impex, Arcom Impex and Investment and R P Incorporated. Indian classical and Bollywood dances and a fashion parade of traditional Indian constumes are also part of the exhibition. Other Indian cultural organisations taking part in the event are Brahma Kumaris and Yoga in Daily Life, which will conduct meditation and yoga demonstrations for visitors. The Indian participation, in the form of 'India Event', is being organised by the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO). India's participation, in the light of its rapid economic progress, has been ensured as part of a 'regional thrust' initiative of Consulate General. India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) is a partner organiser. Indian participation is expected to enhance engagement with Australia, particularly at regional level. 13 killed in north China coal mine blaze BEIJING At least 13 miners were killed and 22 others injured when a fire razed through a coal mine in north China's Hebei Province, local officials confirmed The blaze started around noon yesterday when 63 miners were working underground in the Longxin Coal Mine in Hecun Township of Handan City. Doctors believe the dead were suffocated or poisoned by gas. The 22 injured miners were receiving medical treatment, with one person in a critical condition, Xinhua news agency reported. The blazed is believed to have started with an electrical fire, but investigations are continuing. The Longxin Coal Mine is collectively owned and most of the miners are locals. China is the world's largest coal producer and consumer. However, Chinese coal mines are considered the deadliest due to high rates of accidents. On an average, 12 miners die every day in Chinese coal mines. China to help 148,000 villages out of poverty in five years BEIJING China plans to lift 148,000 villages out of poverty over the next five years as part of the government's efforts to establish a harmonious and well-off society, a senior official said . Addressing the Poverty Reduction Seminar for Developing Countries at Ministerial Level, director of the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development efforts, Liu Jian said the Chinese government will strengthen infrastructure and social services -- and increase villager income -- in the nation's poorest villages, where 80 per cent of the poor population live. According to statistics, 2.365 million people in China still don't have enough food and clothing. And 4.067 million people do not have regular supplies of food and clothing. The Chinese government will also train labourers in poor areas and promote non-farming employment, Liu said. The government will encourage flagship enterprises to promote reform of agricultural structures in poor areas and increase farmers' income, he said. And 260 poverty reduction flagship enterprises identified by the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development will help 12 million poor people. He stressed the Chinese government will continue to make poverty reduction a priority, develop policies for needy people, call on society as a whole to contribute to poverty reduction and promote balanced development of impoverished areas between natural and human resources. Sri Lanka keeps up air attacks as Norway moves to save truce COLOMBO Sri Lankan jets attacked Tamil Tiger areas after the rebels killed over 100 navy personnel in a suicide attack, even as a Norwegian envoy arrived here to arrange talks between the two parties amid mounting fears that the country was headed for full-scale war. The Defence Ministry said that air force jets pounded a Tiger base in Puthukuddierippu yesterday. However, the pro-rebel Tamilnet.Com said two children were killed and 15 others wounded when four jets struck a civilian settlement and destroyed nine homes yesterday. There were no details of today's air attacks. The bombing took place as Norway's peace envoy Jon Hanssen-Bauer arrived to try and save the collapsing ceasefire and arrange talks between the two parties later this month. The government of President Mahinda Rajapakse said it was commited to peace talks despite yesterday's devastating bombing. Yesterday's suicide bombing came as Japan's special peace envoy Yasushi Akashi was holding talks with President Rajapakse on reviving efforts to end the ethnic violence, which has claimed the lives of 60,000 people since 1972. Akashi is due to hold separate talks with the Tigers in the rebel-held town of Kilinochchi . China to 'seriously' implement UN sanctions on NKorea BEIJING Assuring that it would 'seriously' implement the UN sanctions on North Korea, China asked its close ally to adopt a 'responsible' attitude and refrain from escalating tensions as Pyongyang termed the Security Council resolution 'a declaration of war'. 'As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the Chinese side has always implemented the related UNSC Resolutions seriously and in a responsible matter. This time is no exception,' Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Liu Jianchao told reporters here. The remarks came as US increased its pressure on Beijing to join the rest of the world in making UN sanctions 'hurt' Pyongyang. 'On the one hand, we would act in accordance with our commercial regulations and domestic laws and on the other consider acting in accordance with the UNSC Resolution 1718,' he said when asked whether China has started implementing the sanctions on North Korea amid reports that Chinese customs officials were inspecting goods flowing into Pyongyang through the Dandong border trade route. Asked to comment on North Korea's rejection of the UNSC resolution and its latest warning that it will 'mercilessly strike' if its sovereignty is violated, Liu urged Pyomgang to take a responsible attitude and not aggravate the situation on the Korean Peninsula following its nuclear test on October 9. 'We think the UN Security Council Resolution 1718 has sent an important and clear message to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). We hope the DPRK side will seriously treat and respond to the important appeal from the international community. Back channel talks on to resolve Kashmir issue Kasuri ISLAMABAD India and Pakistan are discussing through back channel 'something different' to resolve the Kashmir issue besides their formal standpoints on the dispute, Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri has said. Back channel talks aimed at hammering out a solution to the Kashmir issue that is acceptable to all parties are taking place, he told the media during an Iftar dinner here last night. He was asked about the chances of the settlement of the Kashmir issue in the light of India's stand that borders cannot be changed and Pakistan's stand that LoC is not acceptable. 'Besides formal standpoints of the two countries on Kashmir, something different is being discussed by other sources,' he said in a reference to 'back-channel contacts between former diplomats and other experts from India and Pakistan, but gave no details, Dawn reported today. Kasuri said relations between the two countries have been improving and there has been progress on the Kashmir specific confidence building measures both at diplomatic and other channels. 'There were Indian troops on Pakistan's border in the past but now the situation has changed and both countries are talking to each other on all issues including the core issue of Kashmir,' he was quoted as saying by state-run APP news agency. Travel access initiated by the two countries, travel across the LoC without passport, meeting of Hurriyat leaders with Indian leadership and the visit of APHC leaders to Pakistan are some of the achievements in Pak-India relations which were not at this stage due to stand off Indian forces, he pointed out. UN calls for more investment in agriculture UNITED NATIONS The United Nations urged countries to invest more in agricultural to feed the 850 million cronically malnourished people across the globe, saying in a world which has the means to feed everybody, this continued suffering is 'inconscionable.' In a message to mark World Food Day, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan in a statement said that many countries, including those most in need, have not allocated sufficient resources to farming and rural development. 'There is a need to reverse this trend, and to channel increased public and private resources towards agricultural activities. Such investment must reach beyond infrastructure and irrigation systems to fund broader human development goals, especially the education of rural women and girls who constitute the backbone of most agrarian economies.' The day's theme this year is 'Investing in agriculture for food security', he said. Calling on the affluent to do more for the poor, UN World Food Programme Executive Director James Morris said 'There's nothing wrong with wanting the best for your own children. But next time you upgrade your child's laptop or book those extra tuition sessions, spare a thought for the millions of children whose fingers will never touch a keyboard. They will be lucky if they even learn to read and write or do basic arithmetic. 'We can make a difference. There is more than enough food in the world,' he said. UNICEF says lack of nutrition remains a major killer of children under five, contributing to approximately 50 per cent of the more than 10 million child deaths every year. Pak court orders release of LeT founder ISLAMABAD A Pakistani court ordered the release of Lashkar-e-Toiba founder Hafeez Muhammad Saeed, ignorng the government's argument that his 'increasing activities' could hurt relations with 'neighbouring' countries. In his order, Lahore High Court Judge Justice Akhter Shabbir asked the government to immediately release Saeed, who was detained on August 28, saying his detention was against the constitution and law. According to Saeed's Attorney Nazeer Ahmad Ghazi, the judge held the arrest order and the reasons given by the government as 'unlawful' and ordered his immediate release. A detailed judgement was expected later. The arrest of the head of the self-proclaimed NGO Jamat-ud-Dawa was challenged by his wife Mehmoona Saeed. Even though the government has not given any reasons for the detention of Saeed, it told the Lahore High Court yesterday that one of the reasons for his detention was that his 'increased activities' could hurt relations with neighbouring countries. Early nod to Indo-US nuke deal will help both nations Sen WASHINGTON The sooner the Indo-US civilian nuclear agreement is in place the better as the deal has acquired a 'symbolic significance' and is a manifestation of a new relationship based on 'trust' and 'mutual benefit', Indian Ambassador to the US Ronen Sen has said. 'I hope that when--I am not saying if-- this agreement, which was reached between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Bush in July last year, is enacted into legislation it will be on the conviction that it is as beneficial for the United States as it is for India,' he said at The India Forum of the School of International Service at American University here yesterday. 'I don't want to push this beyond a point, but sooner it is done the better,' Sen said, adding the civilian nuclear agreement had acquired a certain 'symbolic significance' and that the agreement itself 'is a manifestation of a new relationship which is based on trust' and which is 'firmly set on an upward trajectory'. Speaking during an interactive session, Sen said '...The legislation when it is adopted it will be on the basis of broad bipartisan support as it has happened in the adoption of the legislation in the House of Representatives.' If the Clinton visit of 2000 was memorable, the Bush administration has taken the relationship on a 'much higher level' that, among other things, reflected a fundamental reorientation of American foreign policy, especially as it pertained to seeing India as an emerging regional and potentially a global power, Sen said. The focus of the Indian envoy's address to scholars, students and administrators was on the 'Emerging Strategic Partnership between India and the United States.' UK troops pull out of troubled Afghan dist; airstrike kills 16 KABUL British troops pulled out of a troubled district in southern Afghanistan, while a US-led coalition airstrike killed a suspected midlevel Taliban commander and up to 15 other militants, NATO said. The decision to withdraw the British troops from Helmand province's Musa Qala district follows an agreement with tribal elders and the provincial governor, said Mark Laity, a NATO spokesman in Kabul. President Hamid Karzai also supported the move, he said. The troops left 'because of the sustained period of calm,' Laity said, adding that Afghan security forces answerable to the Afghan government would now be in charge of security there. 'There has not been any contact with the Taliban and they are not involved in this.' Musa Qala has been one of the most volatile regions of Helmand, where about 4,000 British troops who deployed to the province in the spring have met with stiffer resistance than expected from resurgent Taliban militants. That resistance has eased a little in recent weeks, but the Taliban have kept up a steady stream of suicide attacks, as the heaviest fighting in Afghanistan since the Islamic militia's ouster from power five years ago rumbles on. Three 500-pound bombs, meanwhile, were dropped on a compound in the Khod Valley of southern Uruzgan province, in support of a NATO-led operation targeting a group of militants who had previously ambushed NATO and Afghan troops, an alliance statement said. The strike killed a suspected midlevel Taliban commander and up to 15 other suspected militants, the statement said. NATO did not name the suspected Taliban commander. Scientists find unusual meteorite in US KANSAS Scientists were excited when they pulled a 70-kilogram meteorite from deep below a wheat field in Kansas, but what got them most electrified was the way they unearthed it. The team yesterday uncovered the find four feet, or just over one metre, under a meteorite-strewn field using new ground-penetrating radar technology that someday might be used on Mars. It was that technology which pinpointed the site and proved for the first time that it could be used to find objects buried deep in the ground and to make an accurate three-dimensional image of them. 'It validates the technique so we can use something similar to that instrument when we go to Mars,' said Patricia Reiff, director of the Rice Space Institute. Such GPR systems had been used in the past to locate smaller meteorites in Antarctica where ice allows easier penetration of the sonar. But until the Kansas dig, the technology had not been successfully used for ground detection in heavy soils -- like on Mars -- to find meteorites or water there. The dig was likely the most documented excavation yet of a meteorite find, with researchers painstakingly using brushes and hand tools to preserve evidence of the impact trail and to date the event of the meteorite strike. Soil samples also were bagged and tagged and organic material preserved for dating purposes. The expedition was put together by the Houston Museum of Natural Science and led by meteorite hunters Steve Arnold and Philip Mani. China to 'seriously' implement UN sanctions on NKorea BEIJING Assuring that it would 'seriously' implement the UN sanctions on North Korea, China asked its close ally to adopt a 'responsible' attitude and refrain from escalating tensions as Pyongyang termed the Security Council resolution 'a declaration of war'. 'As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the Chinese side has always implemented the related UNSC Resolutions seriously and in a responsible matter. This time is no exception,' Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Liu Jianchao told reporters here. The remarks came as US increased its pressure on Beijing to join the rest of the world in making UN sanctions 'hurt' Pyongyang. 'On the one hand, we would act in accordance with our commercial regulations and domestic laws and on the other consider acting in accordance with the UNSC Resolution 1718,' he said when asked whether China has started implementing the sanctions on North Korea amid reports that Chinese customs officials were inspecting goods flowing into Pyongyang through the Dandong border trade route. Asked to comment on North Korea's rejection of the UNSC resolution and its latest warning that it will 'mercilessly strike' if its sovereignty is violated, Liu urged Pyomgang to take a responsible attitude and not aggravate the situation on the Korean Peninsula following its nuclear test on October 9. 'We think the UN Security Council Resolution 1718 has sent an important and clear message to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). We hope the DPRK side will seriously treat and respond to the important appeal from the international community. Denmark leads the way in banning killer fat COPEN HAGEN Two years ago, Denmark declared war on killer fat, making it illegal for any food to have more than two percent transfats. Offenders now face hefty fines -- or even prison terms. The result? Today, hardly anyone notices the difference. The french fries are still crispy. The pastries are still scrumptious. And the fried chicken is still tasty. Denmark's experience offers a hopeful example for places like Canada and New York City, which are considering setting limits on the dangerous artery-clogging fats. Transfatty acids are typically added to processed foods such as cookies, margarine and fast food. They are cheaper to produce than mono-saturated fats, and give a longer shelf life to the foods they are added to. Producers also argue that removing transfat from processed food will change certain tastes and textures beloved by consumers. But they have been called the tobacco of the nutrition world. They lower good cholesterol while raising bad cholesterol. Even consuming less than five grams of transfat -- the amount found in one piece of fried chicken and a side of french fries -- a day has been linked with a 25 percent increased risk of heart disease. 'No other fat at these low levels of intake, has such harmful effects,' said Dariush Mozaffarian, a cardiologist at Harvard's School of Public Health. It is still too early to tell if removing transfat from food in Denmark has improved the country's health. India showcases economic progress in Australian fair SYDNEY India's economic progress and cultural heritage went on display here as part of a famous annual fair of Sydney. India's participation in the 55th Australian National Field Days (ANFD), the country's longest-running agricultural exhibition, as a guest country marks its first presence in a regional event of Australia. During the three-day exhibition which began today, India is showcasing its agricultural, manufacturing, services and technological sectors. The participating companies include Mahindra & Mahindra, (Tractors and Automative Divisions), MRF Tyres, Nasscom, International Tractors, Modern Industries, Madhuri Enterprise, Agrotech Corporation, DJ Impex, Arcom Impex and Investment and R P Incorporated. Indian classical and Bollywood dances and a fashion parade of traditional Indian constumes are also part of the exhibition. Other Indian cultural organisations taking part in the event are Brahma Kumaris and Yoga in Daily Life, which will conduct meditation and yoga demonstrations for visitors. The Indian participation, in the form of 'India Event', is being organised by the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO). India's participation, in the light of its rapid economic progress, has been ensured as part of a 'regional thrust' initiative of Consulate General. India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) is a partner organiser. Indian participation is expected to enhance engagement with Australia, particularly at regional level. 13 killed in north China coal mine blaze BEIJING At least 13 miners were killed and 22 others injured when a fire razed through a coal mine in north China's Hebei Province, local officials confirmed The blaze started around noon yesterday when 63 miners were working underground in the Longxin Coal Mine in Hecun Township of Handan City. Doctors believe the dead were suffocated or poisoned by gas. The 22 injured miners were receiving medical treatment, with one person in a critical condition, Xinhua news agency reported. The blazed is believed to have started with an electrical fire, but investigations are continuing. The Longxin Coal Mine is collectively owned and most of the miners are locals. China is the world's largest coal producer and consumer. However, Chinese coal mines are considered the deadliest due to high rates of accidents. On an average, 12 miners die every day in Chinese coal mines. China to help 148,000 villages out of poverty in five years BEIJING China plans to lift 148,000 villages out of poverty over the next five years as part of the government's efforts to establish a harmonious and well-off society, a senior official said . Addressing the Poverty Reduction Seminar for Developing Countries at Ministerial Level, director of the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development efforts, Liu Jian said the Chinese government will strengthen infrastructure and social services -- and increase villager income -- in the nation's poorest villages, where 80 per cent of the poor population live. According to statistics, 2.365 million people in China still don't have enough food and clothing. And 4.067 million people do not have regular supplies of food and clothing. The Chinese government will also train labourers in poor areas and promote non-farming employment, Liu said. The government will encourage flagship enterprises to promote reform of agricultural structures in poor areas and increase farmers' income, he said. And 260 poverty reduction flagship enterprises identified by the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development will help 12 million poor people. He stressed the Chinese government will continue to make poverty reduction a priority, develop policies for needy people, call on society as a whole to contribute to poverty reduction and promote balanced development of impoverished areas between natural and human resources. Sri Lanka keeps up air attacks as Norway moves to save truce COLOMBO Sri Lankan jets attacked Tamil Tiger areas after the rebels killed over 100 navy personnel in a suicide attack, even as a Norwegian envoy arrived here to arrange talks between the two parties amid mounting fears that the country was headed for full-scale war. The Defence Ministry said that air force jets pounded a Tiger base in Puthukuddierippu yesterday. However, the pro-rebel Tamilnet.Com said two children were killed and 15 others wounded when four jets struck a civilian settlement and destroyed nine homes yesterday. There were no details of today's air attacks. The bombing took place as Norway's peace envoy Jon Hanssen-Bauer arrived to try and save the collapsing ceasefire and arrange talks between the two parties later this month. The government of President Mahinda Rajapakse said it was commited to peace talks despite yesterday's devastating bombing. Yesterday's suicide bombing came as Japan's special peace envoy Yasushi Akashi was holding talks with President Rajapakse on reviving efforts to end the ethnic violence, which has claimed the lives of 60,000 people since 1972. Akashi is due to hold separate talks with the Tigers in the rebel-held town of Kilinochchi . China to 'seriously' implement UN sanctions on NKorea BEIJING Assuring that it would 'seriously' implement the UN sanctions on North Korea, China asked its close ally to adopt a 'responsible' attitude and refrain from escalating tensions as Pyongyang termed the Security Council resolution 'a declaration of war'. 'As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the Chinese side has always implemented the related UNSC Resolutions seriously and in a responsible matter. This time is no exception,' Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Liu Jianchao told reporters here. The remarks came as US increased its pressure on Beijing to join the rest of the world in making UN sanctions 'hurt' Pyongyang. 'On the one hand, we would act in accordance with our commercial regulations and domestic laws and on the other consider acting in accordance with the UNSC Resolution 1718,' he said when asked whether China has started implementing the sanctions on North Korea amid reports that Chinese customs officials were inspecting goods flowing into Pyongyang through the Dandong border trade route. Asked to comment on North Korea's rejection of the UNSC resolution and its latest warning that it will 'mercilessly strike' if its sovereignty is violated, Liu urged Pyomgang to take a responsible attitude and not aggravate the situation on the Korean Peninsula following its nuclear test on October 9. 'We think the UN Security Council Resolution 1718 has sent an important and clear message to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). We hope the DPRK side will seriously treat and respond to the important appeal from the international community. Back channel talks on to resolve Kashmir issue Kasuri ISLAMABAD India and Pakistan are discussing through back channel 'something different' to resolve the Kashmir issue besides their formal standpoints on the dispute, Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri has said. Back channel talks aimed at hammering out a solution to the Kashmir issue that is acceptable to all parties are taking place, he told the media during an Iftar dinner here last night. He was asked about the chances of the settlement of the Kashmir issue in the light of India's stand that borders cannot be changed and Pakistan's stand that LoC is not acceptable. 'Besides formal standpoints of the two countries on Kashmir, something different is being discussed by other sources,' he said in a reference to 'back-channel contacts between former diplomats and other experts from India and Pakistan, but gave no details, Dawn reported today. Kasuri said relations between the two countries have been improving and there has been progress on the Kashmir specific confidence building measures both at diplomatic and other channels. 'There were Indian troops on Pakistan's border in the past but now the situation has changed and both countries are talking to each other on all issues including the core issue of Kashmir,' he was quoted as saying by state-run APP news agency. Travel access initiated by the two countries, travel across the LoC without passport, meeting of Hurriyat leaders with Indian leadership and the visit of APHC leaders to Pakistan are some of the achievements in Pak-India relations which were not at this stage due to stand off Indian forces, he pointed out. UN calls for more investment in agriculture UNITED NATIONS The United Nations urged countries to invest more in agricultural to feed the 850 million cronically malnourished people across the globe, saying in a world which has the means to feed everybody, this continued suffering is 'inconscionable.' In a message to mark World Food Day, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan in a statement said that many countries, including those most in need, have not allocated sufficient resources to farming and rural development. 'There is a need to reverse this trend, and to channel increased public and private resources towards agricultural activities. Such investment must reach beyond infrastructure and irrigation systems to fund broader human development goals, especially the education of rural women and girls who constitute the backbone of most agrarian economies.' The day's theme this year is 'Investing in agriculture for food security', he said. Calling on the affluent to do more for the poor, UN World Food Programme Executive Director James Morris said 'There's nothing wrong with wanting the best for your own children. But next time you upgrade your child's laptop or book those extra tuition sessions, spare a thought for the millions of children whose fingers will never touch a keyboard. They will be lucky if they even learn to read and write or do basic arithmetic. 'We can make a difference. There is more than enough food in the world,' he said. UNICEF says lack of nutrition remains a major killer of children under five, contributing to approximately 50 per cent of the more than 10 million child deaths every year. Pak court orders release of LeT founder ISLAMABAD A Pakistani court ordered the release of Lashkar-e-Toiba founder Hafeez Muhammad Saeed, ignorng the government's argument that his 'increasing activities' could hurt relations with 'neighbouring' countries. In his order, Lahore High Court Judge Justice Akhter Shabbir asked the government to immediately release Saeed, who was detained on August 28, saying his detention was against the constitution and law. According to Saeed's Attorney Nazeer Ahmad Ghazi, the judge held the arrest order and the reasons given by the government as 'unlawful' and ordered his immediate release. A detailed judgement was expected later. The arrest of the head of the self-proclaimed NGO Jamat-ud-Dawa was challenged by his wife Mehmoona Saeed. Even though the government has not given any reasons for the detention of Saeed, it told the Lahore High Court yesterday that one of the reasons for his detention was that his 'increased activities' could hurt relations with neighbouring countries. Early nod to Indo-US nuke deal will help both nations Sen WASHINGTON The sooner the Indo-US civilian nuclear agreement is in place the better as the deal has acquired a 'symbolic significance' and is a manifestation of a new relationship based on 'trust' and 'mutual benefit', Indian Ambassador to the US Ronen Sen has said. 'I hope that when--I am not saying if-- this agreement, which was reached between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Bush in July last year, is enacted into legislation it will be on the conviction that it is as beneficial for the United States as it is for India,' he said at The India Forum of the School of International Service at American University here yesterday. 'I don't want to push this beyond a point, but sooner it is done the better,' Sen said, adding the civilian nuclear agreement had acquired a certain 'symbolic significance' and that the agreement itself 'is a manifestation of a new relationship which is based on trust' and which is 'firmly set on an upward trajectory'. Speaking during an interactive session, Sen said '...The legislation when it is adopted it will be on the basis of broad bipartisan support as it has happened in the adoption of the legislation in the House of Representatives.' If the Clinton visit of 2000 was memorable, the Bush administration has taken the relationship on a 'much higher level' that, among other things, reflected a fundamental reorientation of American foreign policy, especially as it pertained to seeing India as an emerging regional and potentially a global power, Sen said. The focus of the Indian envoy's address to scholars, students and administrators was on the 'Emerging Strategic Partnership between India and the United States.' UK troops pull out of troubled Afghan dist; airstrike kills 16 KABUL British troops pulled out of a troubled district in southern Afghanistan, while a US-led coalition airstrike killed a suspected midlevel Taliban commander and up to 15 other militants, NATO said. The decision to withdraw the British troops from Helmand province's Musa Qala district follows an agreement with tribal elders and the provincial governor, said Mark Laity, a NATO spokesman in Kabul. President Hamid Karzai also supported the move, he said. The troops left 'because of the sustained period of calm,' Laity said, adding that Afghan security forces answerable to the Afghan government would now be in charge of security there. 'There has not been any contact with the Taliban and they are not involved in this.' Musa Qala has been one of the most volatile regions of Helmand, where about 4,000 British troops who deployed to the province in the spring have met with stiffer resistance than expected from resurgent Taliban militants. That resistance has eased a little in recent weeks, but the Taliban have kept up a steady stream of suicide attacks, as the heaviest fighting in Afghanistan since the Islamic militia's ouster from power five years ago rumbles on. Three 500-pound bombs, meanwhile, were dropped on a compound in the Khod Valley of southern Uruzgan province, in support of a NATO-led operation targeting a group of militants who had previously ambushed NATO and Afghan troops, an alliance statement said. The strike killed a suspected midlevel Taliban commander and up to 15 other suspected militants, the statement said. NATO did not name the suspected Taliban commander. Scientists find unusual meteorite in US KANSAS Scientists were excited when they pulled a 70-kilogram meteorite from deep below a wheat field in Kansas, but what got them most electrified was the way they unearthed it. The team yesterday uncovered the find four feet, or just over one metre, under a meteorite-strewn field using new ground-penetrating radar technology that someday might be used on Mars. It was that technology which pinpointed the site and proved for the first time that it could be used to find objects buried deep in the ground and to make an accurate three-dimensional image of them. 'It validates the technique so we can use something similar to that instrument when we go to Mars,' said Patricia Reiff, director of the Rice Space Institute. Such GPR systems had been used in the past to locate smaller meteorites in Antarctica where ice allows easier penetration of the sonar. But until the Kansas dig, the technology had not been successfully used for ground detection in heavy soils -- like on Mars -- to find meteorites or water there. The dig was likely the most documented excavation yet of a meteorite find, with researchers painstakingly using brushes and hand tools to preserve evidence of the impact trail and to date the event of the meteorite strike. Soil samples also were bagged and tagged and organic material preserved for dating purposes. The expedition was put together by the Houston Museum of Natural Science and led by meteorite hunters Steve Arnold and Philip Mani. China to 'seriously' implement UN sanctions on NKorea BEIJING Assuring that it would 'seriously' implement the UN sanctions on North Korea, China asked its close ally to adopt a 'responsible' attitude and refrain from escalating tensions as Pyongyang termed the Security Council resolution 'a declaration of war'. 'As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the Chinese side has always implemented the related UNSC Resolutions seriously and in a responsible matter. This time is no exception,' Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Liu Jianchao told reporters here. The remarks came as US increased its pressure on Beijing to join the rest of the world in making UN sanctions 'hurt' Pyongyang. 'On the one hand, we would act in accordance with our commercial regulations and domestic laws and on the other consider acting in accordance with the UNSC Resolution 1718,' he said when asked whether China has started implementing the sanctions on North Korea amid reports that Chinese customs officials were inspecting goods flowing into Pyongyang through the Dandong border trade route. Asked to comment on North Korea's rejection of the UNSC resolution and its latest warning that it will 'mercilessly strike' if its sovereignty is violated, Liu urged Pyomgang to take a responsible attitude and not aggravate the situation on the Korean Peninsula following its nuclear test on October 9. 'We think the UN Security Council Resolution 1718 has sent an important and clear message to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). We hope the DPRK side will seriously treat and respond to the important appeal from the international community. Denmark leads the way in banning killer fat COPEN HAGEN Two years ago, Denmark declared war on killer fat, making it illegal for any food to have more than two percent transfats. Offenders now face hefty fines -- or even prison terms. The result? Today, hardly anyone notices the difference. The french fries are still crispy. The pastries are still scrumptious. And the fried chicken is still tasty. Denmark's experience offers a hopeful example for places like Canada and New York City, which are considering setting limits on the dangerous artery-clogging fats. Transfatty acids are typically added to processed foods such as cookies, margarine and fast food. They are cheaper to produce than mono-saturated fats, and give a longer shelf life to the foods they are added to. Producers also argue that removing transfat from processed food will change certain tastes and textures beloved by consumers. But they have been called the tobacco of the nutrition world. They lower good cholesterol while raising bad cholesterol. Even consuming less than five grams of transfat -- the amount found in one piece of fried chicken and a side of french fries -- a day has been linked with a 25 percent increased risk of heart disease. 'No other fat at these low levels of intake, has such harmful effects,' said Dariush Mozaffarian, a cardiologist at Harvard's School of Public Health. It is still too early to tell if removing transfat from food in Denmark has improved the country's health. India showcases economic progress in Australian fair SYDNEY India's economic progress and cultural heritage went on display here as part of a famous annual fair of Sydney. India's participation in the 55th Australian National Field Days (ANFD), the country's longest-running agricultural exhibition, as a guest country marks its first presence in a regional event of Australia. During the three-day exhibition which began today, India is showcasing its agricultural, manufacturing, services and technological sectors. The participating companies include Mahindra & Mahindra, (Tractors and Automative Divisions), MRF Tyres, Nasscom, International Tractors, Modern Industries, Madhuri Enterprise, Agrotech Corporation, DJ Impex, Arcom Impex and Investment and R P Incorporated. Indian classical and Bollywood dances and a fashion parade of traditional Indian constumes are also part of the exhibition. Other Indian cultural organisations taking part in the event are Brahma Kumaris and Yoga in Daily Life, which will conduct meditation and yoga demonstrations for visitors. The Indian participation, in the form of 'India Event', is being organised by the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO). India's participation, in the light of its rapid economic progress, has been ensured as part of a 'regional thrust' initiative of Consulate General. India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) is a partner organiser. Indian participation is expected to enhance engagement with Australia, particularly at regional level. 13 killed in north China coal mine blaze BEIJING At least 13 miners were killed and 22 others injured when a fire razed through a coal mine in north China's Hebei Province, local officials confirmed The blaze started around noon yesterday when 63 miners were working underground in the Longxin Coal Mine in Hecun Township of Handan City. Doctors believe the dead were suffocated or poisoned by gas. The 22 injured miners were receiving medical treatment, with one person in a critical condition, Xinhua news agency reported. The blazed is believed to have started with an electrical fire, but investigations are continuing. The Longxin Coal Mine is collectively owned and most of the miners are locals. China is the world's largest coal producer and consumer. However, Chinese coal mines are considered the deadliest due to high rates of accidents. On an average, 12 miners die every day in Chinese coal mines. China to help 148,000 villages out of poverty in five years BEIJING China plans to lift 148,000 villages out of poverty over the next five years as part of the government's efforts to establish a harmonious and well-off society, a senior official said . Addressing the Poverty Reduction Seminar for Developing Countries at Ministerial Level, director of the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development efforts, Liu Jian said the Chinese government will strengthen infrastructure and social services -- and increase villager income -- in the nation's poorest villages, where 80 per cent of the poor population live. According to statistics, 2.365 million people in China still don't have enough food and clothing. And 4.067 million people do not have regular supplies of food and clothing. The Chinese government will also train labourers in poor areas and promote non-farming employment, Liu said. The government will encourage flagship enterprises to promote reform of agricultural structures in poor areas and increase farmers' income, he said. And 260 poverty reduction flagship enterprises identified by the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development will help 12 million poor people. He stressed the Chinese government will continue to make poverty reduction a priority, develop policies for needy people, call on society as a whole to contribute to poverty reduction and promote balanced development of impoverished areas between natural and human resources. Sri Lanka keeps up air attacks as Norway moves to save truce COLOMBO Sri Lankan jets attacked Tamil Tiger areas after the rebels killed over 100 navy personnel in a suicide attack, even as a Norwegian envoy arrived here to arrange talks between the two parties amid mounting fears that the country was headed for full-scale war. The Defence Ministry said that air force jets pounded a Tiger base in Puthukuddierippu yesterday. However, the pro-rebel Tamilnet.Com said two children were killed and 15 others wounded when four jets struck a civilian settlement and destroyed nine homes yesterday. There were no details of today's air attacks. The bombing took place as Norway's peace envoy Jon Hanssen-Bauer arrived to try and save the collapsing ceasefire and arrange talks between the two parties later this month. The government of President Mahinda Rajapakse said it was commited to peace talks despite yesterday's devastating bombing. Yesterday's suicide bombing came as Japan's special peace envoy Yasushi Akashi was holding talks with President Rajapakse on reviving efforts to end the ethnic violence, which has claimed the lives of 60,000 people since 1972. Akashi is due to hold separate talks with the Tigers in the rebel-held town of Kilinochchi . China to 'seriously' implement UN sanctions on NKorea BEIJING Assuring that it would 'seriously' implement the UN sanctions on North Korea, China asked its close ally to adopt a 'responsible' attitude and refrain from escalating tensions as Pyongyang termed the Security Council resolution 'a declaration of war'. 'As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the Chinese side has always implemented the related UNSC Resolutions seriously and in a responsible matter. This time is no exception,' Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Liu Jianchao told reporters here. The remarks came as US increased its pressure on Beijing to join the rest of the world in making UN sanctions 'hurt' Pyongyang. 'On the one hand, we would act in accordance with our commercial regulations and domestic laws and on the other consider acting in accordance with the UNSC Resolution 1718,' he said when asked whether China has started implementing the sanctions on North Korea amid reports that Chinese customs officials were inspecting goods flowing into Pyongyang through the Dandong border trade route. Asked to comment on North Korea's rejection of the UNSC resolution and its latest warning that it will 'mercilessly strike' if its sovereignty is violated, Liu urged Pyomgang to take a responsible attitude and not aggravate the situation on the Korean Peninsula following its nuclear test on October 9. 'We think the UN Security Council Resolution 1718 has sent an important and clear message to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). We hope the DPRK side will seriously treat and respond to the important appeal from the international community. Back channel talks on to resolve Kashmir issue Kasuri ISLAMABAD India and Pakistan are discussing through back channel 'something different' to resolve the Kashmir issue besides their formal standpoints on the dispute, Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri has said. Back channel talks aimed at hammering out a solution to the Kashmir issue that is acceptable to all parties are taking place, he told the media during an Iftar dinner here last night. He was asked about the chances of the settlement of the Kashmir issue in the light of India's stand that borders cannot be changed and Pakistan's stand that LoC is not acceptable. 'Besides formal standpoints of the two countries on Kashmir, something different is being discussed by other sources,' he said in a reference to 'back-channel contacts between former diplomats and other experts from India and Pakistan, but gave no details, Dawn reported today. Kasuri said relations between the two countries have been improving and there has been progress on the Kashmir specific confidence building measures both at diplomatic and other channels. 'There were Indian troops on Pakistan's border in the past but now the situation has changed and both countries are talking to each other on all issues including the core issue of Kashmir,' he was quoted as saying by state-run APP news agency. Travel access initiated by the two countries, travel across the LoC without passport, meeting of Hurriyat leaders with Indian leadership and the visit of APHC leaders to Pakistan are some of the achievements in Pak-India relations which were not at this stage due to stand off Indian forces, he pointed out. UN calls for more investment in agriculture UNITED NATIONS The United Nations urged countries to invest more in agricultural to feed the 850 million cronically malnourished people across the globe, saying in a world which has the means to feed everybody, this continued suffering is 'inconscionable.' In a message to mark World Food Day, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan in a statement said that many countries, including those most in need, have not allocated sufficient resources to farming and rural development. 'There is a need to reverse this trend, and to channel increased public and private resources towards agricultural activities. Such investment must reach beyond infrastructure and irrigation systems to fund broader human development goals, especially the education of rural women and girls who constitute the backbone of most agrarian economies.' The day's theme this year is 'Investing in agriculture for food security', he said. Calling on the affluent to do more for the poor, UN World Food Programme Executive Director James Morris said 'There's nothing wrong with wanting the best for your own children. But next time you upgrade your child's laptop or book those extra tuition sessions, spare a thought for the millions of children whose fingers will never touch a keyboard. They will be lucky if they even learn to read and write or do basic arithmetic. 'We can make a difference. There is more than enough food in the world,' he said. UNICEF says lack of nutrition remains a major killer of children under five, contributing to approximately 50 per cent of the more than 10 million child deaths every year. Pak court orders release of LeT founder ISLAMABAD A Pakistani court ordered the release of Lashkar-e-Toiba founder Hafeez Muhammad Saeed, ignorng the government's argument that his 'increasing activities' could hurt relations with 'neighbouring' countries. In his order, Lahore High Court Judge Justice Akhter Shabbir asked the government to immediately release Saeed, who was detained on August 28, saying his detention was against the constitution and law. According to Saeed's Attorney Nazeer Ahmad Ghazi, the judge held the arrest order and the reasons given by the government as 'unlawful' and ordered his immediate release. A detailed judgement was expected later. The arrest of the head of the self-proclaimed NGO Jamat-ud-Dawa was challenged by his wife Mehmoona Saeed. Even though the government has not given any reasons for the detention of Saeed, it told the Lahore High Court yesterday that one of the reasons for his detention was that his 'increased activities' could hurt relations with neighbouring countries. Early nod to Indo-US nuke deal will help both nations Sen WASHINGTON The sooner the Indo-US civilian nuclear agreement is in place the better as the deal has acquired a 'symbolic significance' and is a manifestation of a new relationship based on 'trust' and 'mutual benefit', Indian Ambassador to the US Ronen Sen has said. 'I hope that when--I am not saying if-- this agreement, which was reached between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Bush in July last year, is enacted into legislation it will be on the conviction that it is as beneficial for the United States as it is for India,' he said at The India Forum of the School of International Service at American University here yesterday. 'I don't want to push this beyond a point, but sooner it is done the better,' Sen said, adding the civilian nuclear agreement had acquired a certain 'symbolic significance' and that the agreement itself 'is a manifestation of a new relationship which is based on trust' and which is 'firmly set on an upward trajectory'. Speaking during an interactive session, Sen said '...The legislation when it is adopted it will be on the basis of broad bipartisan support as it has happened in the adoption of the legislation in the House of Representatives.' If the Clinton visit of 2000 was memorable, the Bush administration has taken the relationship on a 'much higher level' that, among other things, reflected a fundamental reorientation of American foreign policy, especially as it pertained to seeing India as an emerging regional and potentially a global power, Sen said. The focus of the Indian envoy's address to scholars, students and administrators was on the 'Emerging Strategic Partnership between India and the United States.' UK troops pull out of troubled Afghan dist; airstrike kills 16 KABUL British troops pulled out of a troubled district in southern Afghanistan, while a US-led coalition airstrike killed a suspected midlevel Taliban commander and up to 15 other militants, NATO said. The decision to withdraw the British troops from Helmand province's Musa Qala district follows an agreement with tribal elders and the provincial governor, said Mark Laity, a NATO spokesman in Kabul. President Hamid Karzai also supported the move, he said. The troops left 'because of the sustained period of calm,' Laity said, adding that Afghan security forces answerable to the Afghan government would now be in charge of security there. 'There has not been any contact with the Taliban and they are not involved in this.' Musa Qala has been one of the most volatile regions of Helmand, where about 4,000 British troops who deployed to the province in the spring have met with stiffer resistance than expected from resurgent Taliban militants. That resistance has eased a little in recent weeks, but the Taliban have kept up a steady stream of suicide attacks, as the heaviest fighting in Afghanistan since the Islamic militia's ouster from power five years ago rumbles on. Three 500-pound bombs, meanwhile, were dropped on a compound in the Khod Valley of southern Uruzgan province, in support of a NATO-led operation targeting a group of militants who had previously ambushed NATO and Afghan troops, an alliance statement said. The strike killed a suspected midlevel Taliban commander and up to 15 other suspected militants, the statement said. NATO did not name the suspected Taliban commander. Scientists find unusual meteorite in US KANSAS Scientists were excited when they pulled a 70-kilogram meteorite from deep below a wheat field in Kansas, but what got them most electrified was the way they unearthed it. The team yesterday uncovered the find four feet, or just over one metre, under a meteorite-strewn field using new ground-penetrating radar technology that someday might be used on Mars. It was that technology which pinpointed the site and proved for the first time that it could be used to find objects buried deep in the ground and to make an accurate three-dimensional image of them. 'It validates the technique so we can use something similar to that instrument when we go to Mars,' said Patricia Reiff, director of the Rice Space Institute. Such GPR systems had been used in the past to locate smaller meteorites in Antarctica where ice allows easier penetration of the sonar. But until the Kansas dig, the technology had not been successfully used for ground detection in heavy soils -- like on Mars -- to find meteorites or water there. The dig was likely the most documented excavation yet of a meteorite find, with researchers painstakingly using brushes and hand tools to preserve evidence of the impact trail and to date the event of the meteorite strike. Soil samples also were bagged and tagged and organic material preserved for dating purposes. The expedition was put together by the Houston Museum of Natural Science and led by meteorite hunters Steve Arnold and Philip Mani. China to 'seriously' implement UN sanctions on NKorea BEIJING Assuring that it would 'seriously' implement the UN sanctions on North Korea, China asked its close ally to adopt a 'responsible' attitude and refrain from escalating tensions as Pyongyang termed the Security Council resolution 'a declaration of war'. 'As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the Chinese side has always implemented the related UNSC Resolutions seriously and in a responsible matter. This time is no exception,' Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Liu Jianchao told reporters here. The remarks came as US increased its pressure on Beijing to join the rest of the world in making UN sanctions 'hurt' Pyongyang. 'On the one hand, we would act in accordance with our commercial regulations and domestic laws and on the other consider acting in accordance with the UNSC Resolution 1718,' he said when asked whether China has started implementing the sanctions on North Korea amid reports that Chinese customs officials were inspecting goods flowing into Pyongyang through the Dandong border trade route. Asked to comment on North Korea's rejection of the UNSC resolution and its latest warning that it will 'mercilessly strike' if its sovereignty is violated, Liu urged Pyomgang to take a responsible attitude and not aggravate the situation on the Korean Peninsula following its nuclear test on October 9. 'We think the UN Security Council Resolution 1718 has sent an important and clear message to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). We hope the DPRK side will seriously treat and respond to the important appeal from the international community. Denmark leads the way in banning killer fat COPEN HAGEN Two years ago, Denmark declared war on killer fat, making it illegal for any food to have more than two percent transfats. Offenders now face hefty fines -- or even prison terms. The result? Today, hardly anyone notices the difference. The french fries are still crispy. The pastries are still scrumptious. And the fried chicken is still tasty. Denmark's experience offers a hopeful example for places like Canada and New York City, which are considering setting limits on the dangerous artery-clogging fats. Transfatty acids are typically added to processed foods such as cookies, margarine and fast food. They are cheaper to produce than mono-saturated fats, and give a longer shelf life to the foods they are added to. Producers also argue that removing transfat from processed food will change certain tastes and textures beloved by consumers. But they have been called the tobacco of the nutrition world. They lower good cholesterol while raising bad cholesterol. Even consuming less than five grams of transfat -- the amount found in one piece of fried chicken and a side of french fries -- a day has been linked with a 25 percent increased risk of heart disease. 'No other fat at these low levels of intake, has such harmful effects,' said Dariush Mozaffarian, a cardiologist at Harvard's School of Public Health. It is still too early to tell if removing transfat from food in Denmark has improved the country's health. India showcases economic progress in Australian fair SYDNEY India's economic progress and cultural heritage went on display here as part of a famous annual fair of Sydney. India's participation in the 55th Australian National Field Days (ANFD), the country's longest-running agricultural exhibition, as a guest country marks its first presence in a regional event of Australia. During the three-day exhibition which began today, India is showcasing its agricultural, manufacturing, services and technological sectors. The participating companies include Mahindra & Mahindra, (Tractors and Automative Divisions), MRF Tyres, Nasscom, International Tractors, Modern Industries, Madhuri Enterprise, Agrotech Corporation, DJ Impex, Arcom Impex and Investment and R P Incorporated. Indian classical and Bollywood dances and a fashion parade of traditional Indian constumes are also part of the exhibition. Other Indian cultural organisations taking part in the event are Brahma Kumaris and Yoga in Daily Life, which will conduct meditation and yoga demonstrations for visitors. The Indian participation, in the form of 'India Event', is being organised by the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO). India's participation, in the light of its rapid economic progress, has been ensured as part of a 'regional thrust' initiative of Consulate General. India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) is a partner organiser. Indian participation is expected to enhance engagement with Australia, particularly at regional level. 13 killed in north China coal mine blaze BEIJING At least 13 miners were killed and 22 others injured when a fire razed through a coal mine in north China's Hebei Province, local officials confirmed The blaze started around noon yesterday when 63 miners were working underground in the Longxin Coal Mine in Hecun Township of Handan City. Doctors believe the dead were suffocated or poisoned by gas. The 22 injured miners were receiving medical treatment, with one person in a critical condition, Xinhua news agency reported. The blazed is believed to have started with an electrical fire, but investigations are continuing. The Longxin Coal Mine is collectively owned and most of the miners are locals. China is the world's largest coal producer and consumer. However, Chinese coal mines are considered the deadliest due to high rates of accidents. On an average, 12 miners die every day in Chinese coal mines. China to help 148,000 villages out of poverty in five years BEIJING China plans to lift 148,000 villages out of poverty over the next five years as part of the government's efforts to establish a harmonious and well-off society, a senior official said . Addressing the Poverty Reduction Seminar for Developing Countries at Ministerial Level, director of the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development efforts, Liu Jian said the Chinese government will strengthen infrastructure and social services -- and increase villager income -- in the nation's poorest villages, where 80 per cent of the poor population live. According to statistics, 2.365 million people in China still don't have enough food and clothing. And 4.067 million people do not have regular supplies of food and clothing. The Chinese government will also train labourers in poor areas and promote non-farming employment, Liu said. The government will encourage flagship enterprises to promote reform of agricultural structures in poor areas and increase farmers' income, he said. And 260 poverty reduction flagship enterprises identified by the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development will help 12 million poor people. He stressed the Chinese government will continue to make poverty reduction a priority, develop policies for needy people, call on society as a whole to contribute to poverty reduction and promote balanced development of impoverished areas between natural and human resources. Sri Lanka keeps up air attacks as Norway moves to save truce COLOMBO Sri Lankan jets attacked Tamil Tiger areas after the rebels killed over 100 navy personnel in a suicide attack, even as a Norwegian envoy arrived here to arrange talks between the two parties amid mounting fears that the country was headed for full-scale war. The Defence Ministry said that air force jets pounded a Tiger base in Puthukuddierippu yesterday. However, the pro-rebel Tamilnet.Com said two children were killed and 15 others wounded when four jets struck a civilian settlement and destroyed nine homes yesterday. There were no details of today's air attacks. The bombing took place as Norway's peace envoy Jon Hanssen-Bauer arrived to try and save the collapsing ceasefire and arrange talks between the two parties later this month. The government of President Mahinda Rajapakse said it was commited to peace talks despite yesterday's devastating bombing. Yesterday's suicide bombing came as Japan's special peace envoy Yasushi Akashi was holding talks with President Rajapakse on reviving efforts to end the ethnic violence, which has claimed the lives of 60,000 people since 1972. Akashi is due to hold separate talks with the Tigers in the rebel-held town of Kilinochchi . China to 'seriously' implement UN sanctions on NKorea BEIJING Assuring that it would 'seriously' implement the UN sanctions on North Korea, China asked its close ally to adopt a 'responsible' attitude and refrain from escalating tensions as Pyongyang termed the Security Council resolution 'a declaration of war'. 'As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the Chinese side has always implemented the related UNSC Resolutions seriously and in a responsible matter. This time is no exception,' Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Liu Jianchao told reporters here. The remarks came as US increased its pressure on Beijing to join the rest of the world in making UN sanctions 'hurt' Pyongyang. 'On the one hand, we would act in accordance with our commercial regulations and domestic laws and on the other consider acting in accordance with the UNSC Resolution 1718,' he said when asked whether China has started implementing the sanctions on North Korea amid reports that Chinese customs officials were inspecting goods flowing into Pyongyang through the Dandong border trade route. Asked to comment on North Korea's rejection of the UNSC resolution and its latest warning that it will 'mercilessly strike' if its sovereignty is violated, Liu urged Pyomgang to take a responsible attitude and not aggravate the situation on the Korean Peninsula following its nuclear test on October 9. 'We think the UN Security Council Resolution 1718 has sent an important and clear message to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). We hope the DPRK side will seriously treat and respond to the important appeal from the international community. Back channel talks on to resolve Kashmir issue Kasuri ISLAMABAD India and Pakistan are discussing through back channel 'something different' to resolve the Kashmir issue besides their formal standpoints on the dispute, Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri has said. Back channel talks aimed at hammering out a solution to the Kashmir issue that is acceptable to all parties are taking place, he told the media during an Iftar dinner here last night. He was asked about the chances of the settlement of the Kashmir issue in the light of India's stand that borders cannot be changed and Pakistan's stand that LoC is not acceptable. 'Besides formal standpoints of the two countries on Kashmir, something different is being discussed by other sources,' he said in a reference to 'back-channel contacts between former diplomats and other experts from India and Pakistan, but gave no details, Dawn reported today. Kasuri said relations between the two countries have been improving and there has been progress on the Kashmir specific confidence building measures both at diplomatic and other channels. 'There were Indian troops on Pakistan's border in the past but now the situation has changed and both countries are talking to each other on all issues including the core issue of Kashmir,' he was quoted as saying by state-run APP news agency. Travel access initiated by the two countries, travel across the LoC without passport, meeting of Hurriyat leaders with Indian leadership and the visit of APHC leaders to Pakistan are some of the achievements in Pak-India relations which were not at this stage due to stand off Indian forces, he pointed out. UN calls for more investment in agriculture UNITED NATIONS The United Nations urged countries to invest more in agricultural to feed the 850 million cronically malnourished people across the globe, saying in a world which has the means to feed everybody, this continued suffering is 'inconscionable.' In a message to mark World Food Day, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan in a statement said that many countries, including those most in need, have not allocated sufficient resources to farming and rural development. 'There is a need to reverse this trend, and to channel increased public and private resources towards agricultural activities. Such investment must reach beyond infrastructure and irrigation systems to fund broader human development goals, especially the education of rural women and girls who constitute the backbone of most agrarian economies.' The day's theme this year is 'Investing in agriculture for food security', he said. Calling on the affluent to do more for the poor, UN World Food Programme Executive Director James Morris said 'There's nothing wrong with wanting the best for your own children. But next time you upgrade your child's laptop or book those extra tuition sessions, spare a thought for the millions of children whose fingers will never touch a keyboard. They will be lucky if they even learn to read and write or do basic arithmetic. 'We can make a difference. There is more than enough food in the world,' he said. UNICEF says lack of nutrition remains a major killer of children under five, contributing to approximately 50 per cent of the more than 10 million child deaths every year. Pak court orders release of LeT founder ISLAMABAD A Pakistani court ordered the release of Lashkar-e-Toiba founder Hafeez Muhammad Saeed, ignorng the government's argument that his 'increasing activities' could hurt relations with 'neighbouring' countries. In his order, Lahore High Court Judge Justice Akhter Shabbir asked the government to immediately release Saeed, who was detained on August 28, saying his detention was against the constitution and law. According to Saeed's Attorney Nazeer Ahmad Ghazi, the judge held the arrest order and the reasons given by the government as 'unlawful' and ordered his immediate release. A detailed judgement was expected later. The arrest of the head of the self-proclaimed NGO Jamat-ud-Dawa was challenged by his wife Mehmoona Saeed. Even though the government has not given any reasons for the detention of Saeed, it told the Lahore High Court yesterday that one of the reasons for his detention was that his 'increased activities' could hurt relations with neighbouring countries. Early nod to Indo-US nuke deal will help both nations Sen WASHINGTON The sooner the Indo-US civilian nuclear agreement is in place the better as the deal has acquired a 'symbolic significance' and is a manifestation of a new relationship based on 'trust' and 'mutual benefit', Indian Ambassador to the US Ronen Sen has said. 'I hope that when--I am not saying if-- this agreement, which was reached between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Bush in July last year, is enacted into legislation it will be on the conviction that it is as beneficial for the United States as it is for India,' he said at The India Forum of the School of International Service at American University here yesterday. 'I don't want to push this beyond a point, but sooner it is done the better,' Sen said, adding the civilian nuclear agreement had acquired a certain 'symbolic significance' and that the agreement itself 'is a manifestation of a new relationship which is based on trust' and which is 'firmly set on an upward trajectory'. Speaking during an interactive session, Sen said '...The legislation when it is adopted it will be on the basis of broad bipartisan support as it has happened in the adoption of the legislation in the House of Representatives.' If the Clinton visit of 2000 was memorable, the Bush administration has taken the relationship on a 'much higher level' that, among other things, reflected a fundamental reorientation of American foreign policy, especially as it pertained to seeing India as an emerging regional and potentially a global power, Sen said. The focus of the Indian envoy's address to scholars, students and administrators was on the 'Emerging Strategic Partnership between India and the United States.' UK troops pull out of troubled Afghan dist; airstrike kills 16 KABUL British troops pulled out of a troubled district in southern Afghanistan, while a US-led coalition airstrike killed a suspected midlevel Taliban commander and up to 15 other militants, NATO said. The decision to withdraw the British troops from Helmand province's Musa Qala district follows an agreement with tribal elders and the provincial governor, said Mark Laity, a NATO spokesman in Kabul. President Hamid Karzai also supported the move, he said. The troops left 'because of the sustained period of calm,' Laity said, adding that Afghan security forces answerable to the Afghan government would now be in charge of security there. 'There has not been any contact with the Taliban and they are not involved in this.' Musa Qala has been one of the most volatile regions of Helmand, where about 4,000 British troops who deployed to the province in the spring have met with stiffer resistance than expected from resurgent Taliban militants. That resistance has eased a little in recent weeks, but the Taliban have kept up a steady stream of suicide attacks, as the heaviest fighting in Afghanistan since the Islamic militia's ouster from power five years ago rumbles on. Three 500-pound bombs, meanwhile, were dropped on a compound in the Khod Valley of southern Uruzgan province, in support of a NATO-led operation targeting a group of militants who had previously ambushed NATO and Afghan troops, an alliance statement said. The strike killed a suspected midlevel Taliban commander and up to 15 other suspected militants, the statement said. NATO did not name the suspected Taliban commander. Scientists find unusual meteorite in US KANSAS Scientists were excited when they pulled a 70-kilogram meteorite from deep below a wheat field in Kansas, but what got them most electrified was the way they unearthed it. The team yesterday uncovered the find four feet, or just over one metre, under a meteorite-strewn field using new ground-penetrating radar technology that someday might be used on Mars. It was that technology which pinpointed the site and proved for the first time that it could be used to find objects buried deep in the ground and to make an accurate three-dimensional image of them. 'It validates the technique so we can use something similar to that instrument when we go to Mars,' said Patricia Reiff, director of the Rice Space Institute. Such GPR systems had been used in the past to locate smaller meteorites in Antarctica where ice allows easier penetration of the sonar. But until the Kansas dig, the technology had not been successfully used for ground detection in heavy soils -- like on Mars -- to find meteorites or water there. The dig was likely the most documented excavation yet of a meteorite find, with researchers painstakingly using brushes and hand tools to preserve evidence of the impact trail and to date the event of the meteorite strike. Soil samples also were bagged and tagged and organic material preserved for dating purposes. The expedition was put together by the Houston Museum of Natural Science and led by meteorite hunters Steve Arnold and Philip Mani. China to 'seriously' implement UN sanctions on NKorea BEIJING Assuring that it would 'seriously' implement the UN sanctions on North Korea, China asked its close ally to adopt a 'responsible' attitude and refrain from escalating tensions as Pyongyang termed the Security Council resolution 'a declaration of war'. 'As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the Chinese side has always implemented the related UNSC Resolutions seriously and in a responsible matter. This time is no exception,' Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Liu Jianchao told reporters here. The remarks came as US increased its pressure on Beijing to join the rest of the world in making UN sanctions 'hurt' Pyongyang. 'On the one hand, we would act in accordance with our commercial regulations and domestic laws and on the other consider acting in accordance with the UNSC Resolution 1718,' he said when asked whether China has started implementing the sanctions on North Korea amid reports that Chinese customs officials were inspecting goods flowing into Pyongyang through the Dandong border trade route. Asked to comment on North Korea's rejection of the UNSC resolution and its latest warning that it will 'mercilessly strike' if its sovereignty is violated, Liu urged Pyomgang to take a responsible attitude and not aggravate the situation on the Korean Peninsula following its nuclear test on October 9. 'We think the UN Security Council Resolution 1718 has sent an important and clear message to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). We hope the DPRK side will seriously treat and respond to the important appeal from the international community. Denmark leads the way in banning killer fat COPEN HAGEN Two years ago, Denmark declared war on killer fat, making it illegal for any food to have more than two percent transfats. Offenders now face hefty fines -- or even prison terms. The result? Today, hardly anyone notices the difference. The french fries are still crispy. The pastries are still scrumptious. And the fried chicken is still tasty. Denmark's experience offers a hopeful example for places like Canada and New York City, which are considering setting limits on the dangerous artery-clogging fats. Transfatty acids are typically added to processed foods such as cookies, margarine and fast food. They are cheaper to produce than mono-saturated fats, and give a longer shelf life to the foods they are added to. Producers also argue that removing transfat from processed food will change certain tastes and textures beloved by consumers. But they have been called the tobacco of the nutrition world. They lower good cholesterol while raising bad cholesterol. Even consuming less than five grams of transfat -- the amount found in one piece of fried chicken and a side of french fries -- a day has been linked with a 25 percent increased risk of heart disease. 'No other fat at these low levels of intake, has such harmful effects,' said Dariush Mozaffarian, a cardiologist at Harvard's School of Public Health. It is still too early to tell if removing transfat from food in Denmark has improved the country's health. India showcases economic progress in Australian fair SYDNEY India's economic progress and cultural heritage went on display here as part of a famous annual fair of Sydney. India's participation in the 55th Australian National Field Days (ANFD), the country's longest-running agricultural exhibition, as a guest country marks its first presence in a regional event of Australia. During the three-day exhibition which began today, India is showcasing its agricultural, manufacturing, services and technological sectors. The participating companies include Mahindra & Mahindra, (Tractors and Automative Divisions), MRF Tyres, Nasscom, International Tractors, Modern Industries, Madhuri Enterprise, Agrotech Corporation, DJ Impex, Arcom Impex and Investment and R P Incorporated. Indian classical and Bollywood dances and a fashion parade of traditional Indian constumes are also part of the exhibition. Other Indian cultural organisations taking part in the event are Brahma Kumaris and Yoga in Daily Life, which will conduct meditation and yoga demonstrations for visitors. The Indian participation, in the form of 'India Event', is being organised by the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO). India's participation, in the light of its rapid economic progress, has been ensured as part of a 'regional thrust' initiative of Consulate General. India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) is a partner organiser. Indian participation is expected to enhance engagement with Australia, particularly at regional level. 13 killed in north China coal mine blaze BEIJING At least 13 miners were killed and 22 others injured when a fire razed through a coal mine in north China's Hebei Province, local officials confirmed The blaze started around noon yesterday when 63 miners were working underground in the Longxin Coal Mine in Hecun Township of Handan City. Doctors believe the dead were suffocated or poisoned by gas. The 22 injured miners were receiving medical treatment, with one person in a critical condition, Xinhua news agency reported. The blazed is believed to have started with an electrical fire, but investigations are continuing. The Longxin Coal Mine is collectively owned and most of the miners are locals. China is the world's largest coal producer and consumer. However, Chinese coal mines are considered the deadliest due to high rates of accidents. On an average, 12 miners die every day in Chinese coal mines. China to help 148,000 villages out of poverty in five years BEIJING China plans to lift 148,000 villages out of poverty over the next five years as part of the government's efforts to establish a harmonious and well-off society, a senior official said . Addressing the Poverty Reduction Seminar for Developing Countries at Ministerial Level, director of the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development efforts, Liu Jian said the Chinese government will strengthen infrastructure and social services -- and increase villager income -- in the nation's poorest villages, where 80 per cent of the poor population live. According to statistics, 2.365 million people in China still don't have enough food and clothing. And 4.067 million people do not have regular supplies of food and clothing. The Chinese government will also train labourers in poor areas and promote non-farming employment, Liu said. The government will encourage flagship enterprises to promote reform of agricultural structures in poor areas and increase farmers' income, he said. And 260 poverty reduction flagship enterprises identified by the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development will help 12 million poor people. He stressed the Chinese government will continue to make poverty reduction a priority, develop policies for needy people, call on society as a whole to contribute to poverty reduction and promote balanced development of impoverished areas between natural and human resources. Sri Lanka keeps up air attacks as Norway moves to save truce COLOMBO Sri Lankan jets attacked Tamil Tiger areas after the rebels killed over 100 navy personnel in a suicide attack, even as a Norwegian envoy arrived here to arrange talks between the two parties amid mounting fears that the country was headed for full-scale war. The Defence Ministry said that air force jets pounded a Tiger base in Puthukuddierippu yesterday. However, the pro-rebel Tamilnet.Com said two children were killed and 15 others wounded when four jets struck a civilian settlement and destroyed nine homes yesterday. There were no details of today's air attacks. The bombing took place as Norway's peace envoy Jon Hanssen-Bauer arrived to try and save the collapsing ceasefire and arrange talks between the two parties later this month. The government of President Mahinda Rajapakse said it was commited to peace talks despite yesterday's devastating bombing. Yesterday's suicide bombing came as Japan's special peace envoy Yasushi Akashi was holding talks with President Rajapakse on reviving efforts to end the ethnic violence, which has claimed the lives of 60,000 people since 1972. Akashi is due to hold separate talks with the Tigers in the rebel-held town of Kilinochchi . China to 'seriously' implement UN sanctions on NKorea BEIJING Assuring that it would 'seriously' implement the UN sanctions on North Korea, China asked its close ally to adopt a 'responsible' attitude and refrain from escalating tensions as Pyongyang termed the Security Council resolution 'a declaration of war'. 'As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the Chinese side has always implemented the related UNSC Resolutions seriously and in a responsible matter. This time is no exception,' Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Liu Jianchao told reporters here. The remarks came as US increased its pressure on Beijing to join the rest of the world in making UN sanctions 'hurt' Pyongyang. 'On the one hand, we would act in accordance with our commercial regulations and domestic laws and on the other consider acting in accordance with the UNSC Resolution 1718,' he said when asked whether China has started implementing the sanctions on North Korea amid reports that Chinese customs officials were inspecting goods flowing into Pyongyang through the Dandong border trade route. Asked to comment on North Korea's rejection of the UNSC resolution and its latest warning that it will 'mercilessly strike' if its sovereignty is violated, Liu urged Pyomgang to take a responsible attitude and not aggravate the situation on the Korean Peninsula following its nuclear test on October 9. 'We think the UN Security Council Resolution 1718 has sent an important and clear message to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). We hope the DPRK side will seriously treat and respond to the important appeal from the international community. Back channel talks on to resolve Kashmir issue Kasuri ISLAMABAD India and Pakistan are discussing through back channel 'something different' to resolve the Kashmir issue besides their formal standpoints on the dispute, Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri has said. Back channel talks aimed at hammering out a solution to the Kashmir issue that is acceptable to all parties are taking place, he told the media during an Iftar dinner here last night. He was asked about the chances of the settlement of the Kashmir issue in the light of India's stand that borders cannot be changed and Pakistan's stand that LoC is not acceptable. 'Besides formal standpoints of the two countries on Kashmir, something different is being discussed by other sources,' he said in a reference to 'back-channel contacts between former diplomats and other experts from India and Pakistan, but gave no details, Dawn reported today. Kasuri said relations between the two countries have been improving and there has been progress on the Kashmir specific confidence building measures both at diplomatic and other channels. 'There were Indian troops on Pakistan's border in the past but now the situation has changed and both countries are talking to each other on all issues including the core issue of Kashmir,' he was quoted as saying by state-run APP news agency. Travel access initiated by the two countries, travel across the LoC without passport, meeting of Hurriyat leaders with Indian leadership and the visit of APHC leaders to Pakistan are some of the achievements in Pak-India relations which were not at this stage due to stand off Indian forces, he pointed out. UN calls for more investment in agriculture UNITED NATIONS The United Nations urged countries to invest more in agricultural to feed the 850 million cronically malnourished people across the globe, saying in a world which has the means to feed everybody, this continued suffering is 'inconscionable.' In a message to mark World Food Day, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan in a statement said that many countries, including those most in need, have not allocated sufficient resources to farming and rural development. 'There is a need to reverse this trend, and to channel increased public and private resources towards agricultural activities. Such investment must reach beyond infrastructure and irrigation systems to fund broader human development goals, especially the education of rural women and girls who constitute the backbone of most agrarian economies.' The day's theme this year is 'Investing in agriculture for food security', he said. Calling on the affluent to do more for the poor, UN World Food Programme Executive Director James Morris said 'There's nothing wrong with wanting the best for your own children. But next time you upgrade your child's laptop or book those extra tuition sessions, spare a thought for the millions of children whose fingers will never touch a keyboard. They will be lucky if they even learn to read and write or do basic arithmetic. 'We can make a difference. There is more than enough food in the world,' he said. UNICEF says lack of nutrition remains a major killer of children under five, contributing to approximately 50 per cent of the more than 10 million child deaths every year. Pak court orders release of LeT founder ISLAMABAD A Pakistani court ordered the release of Lashkar-e-Toiba founder Hafeez Muhammad Saeed, ignorng the government's argument that his 'increasing activities' could hurt relations with 'neighbouring' countries. In his order, Lahore High Court Judge Justice Akhter Shabbir asked the government to immediately release Saeed, who was detained on August 28, saying his detention was against the constitution and law. According to Saeed's Attorney Nazeer Ahmad Ghazi, the judge held the arrest order and the reasons given by the government as 'unlawful' and ordered his immediate release. A detailed judgement was expected later. The arrest of the head of the self-proclaimed NGO Jamat-ud-Dawa was challenged by his wife Mehmoona Saeed. Even though the government has not given any reasons for the detention of Saeed, it told the Lahore High Court yesterday that one of the reasons for his detention was that his 'increased activities' could hurt relations with neighbouring countries. Early nod to Indo-US nuke deal will help both nations Sen WASHINGTON The sooner the Indo-US civilian nuclear agreement is in place the better as the deal has acquired a 'symbolic significance' and is a manifestation of a new relationship based on 'trust' and 'mutual benefit', Indian Ambassador to the US Ronen Sen has said. 'I hope that when--I am not saying if-- this agreement, which was reached between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Bush in July last year, is enacted into legislation it will be on the conviction that it is as beneficial for the United States as it is for India,' he said at The India Forum of the School of International Service at American University here yesterday. 'I don't want to push this beyond a point, but sooner it is done the better,' Sen said, adding the civilian nuclear agreement had acquired a certain 'symbolic significance' and that the agreement itself 'is a manifestation of a new relationship which is based on trust' and which is 'firmly set on an upward trajectory'. Speaking during an interactive session, Sen said '...The legislation when it is adopted it will be on the basis of broad bipartisan support as it has happened in the adoption of the legislation in the House of Representatives.' If the Clinton visit of 2000 was memorable, the Bush administration has taken the relationship on a 'much higher level' that, among other things, reflected a fundamental reorientation of American foreign policy, especially as it pertained to seeing India as an emerging regional and potentially a global power, Sen said. The focus of the Indian envoy's address to scholars, students and administrators was on the 'Emerging Strategic Partnership between India and the United States.' UK troops pull out of troubled Afghan dist; airstrike kills 16 KABUL British troops pulled out of a troubled district in southern Afghanistan, while a US-led coalition airstrike killed a suspected midlevel Taliban commander and up to 15 other militants, NATO said. The decision to withdraw the British troops from Helmand province's Musa Qala district follows an agreement with tribal elders and the provincial governor, said Mark Laity, a NATO spokesman in Kabul. President Hamid Karzai also supported the move, he said. The troops left 'because of the sustained period of calm,' Laity said, adding that Afghan security forces answerable to the Afghan government would now be in charge of security there. 'There has not been any contact with the Taliban and they are not involved in this.' Musa Qala has been one of the most volatile regions of Helmand, where about 4,000 British troops who deployed to the province in the spring have met with stiffer resistance than expected from resurgent Taliban militants. That resistance has eased a little in recent weeks, but the Taliban have kept up a steady stream of suicide attacks, as the heaviest fighting in Afghanistan since the Islamic militia's ouster from power five years ago rumbles on. Three 500-pound bombs, meanwhile, were dropped on a compound in the Khod Valley of southern Uruzgan province, in support of a NATO-led operation targeting a group of militants who had previously ambushed NATO and Afghan troops, an alliance statement said. The strike killed a suspected midlevel Taliban commander and up to 15 other suspected militants, the statement said. NATO did not name the suspected Taliban commander. Scientists find unusual meteorite in US KANSAS Scientists were excited when they pulled a 70-kilogram meteorite from deep below a wheat field in Kansas, but what got them most electrified was the way they unearthed it. The team yesterday uncovered the find four feet, or just over one metre, under a meteorite-strewn field using new ground-penetrating radar technology that someday might be used on Mars. It was that technology which pinpointed the site and proved for the first time that it could be used to find objects buried deep in the ground and to make an accurate three-dimensional image of them. 'It validates the technique so we can use something similar to that instrument when we go to Mars,' said Patricia Reiff, director of the Rice Space Institute. Such GPR systems had been used in the past to locate smaller meteorites in Antarctica where ice allows easier penetration of the sonar. But until the Kansas dig, the technology had not been successfully used for ground detection in heavy soils -- like on Mars -- to find meteorites or water there. The dig was likely the most documented excavation yet of a meteorite find, with researchers painstakingly using brushes and hand tools to preserve evidence of the impact trail and to date the event of the meteorite strike. Soil samples also were bagged and tagged and organic material preserved for dating purposes. The expedition was put together by the Houston Museum of Natural Science and led by meteorite hunters Steve Arnold and Philip Mani. China to 'seriously' implement UN sanctions on NKorea BEIJING Assuring that it would 'seriously' implement the UN sanctions on North Korea, China asked its close ally to adopt a 'responsible' attitude and refrain from escalating tensions as Pyongyang termed the Security Council resolution 'a declaration of war'. 'As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the Chinese side has always implemented the related UNSC Resolutions seriously and in a responsible matter. This time is no exception,' Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Liu Jianchao told reporters here. The remarks came as US increased its pressure on Beijing to join the rest of the world in making UN sanctions 'hurt' Pyongyang. 'On the one hand, we would act in accordance with our commercial regulations and domestic laws and on the other consider acting in accordance with the UNSC Resolution 1718,' he said when asked whether China has started implementing the sanctions on North Korea amid reports that Chinese customs officials were inspecting goods flowing into Pyongyang through the Dandong border trade route. Asked to comment on North Korea's rejection of the UNSC resolution and its latest warning that it will 'mercilessly strike' if its sovereignty is violated, Liu urged Pyomgang to take a responsible attitude and not aggravate the situation on the Korean Peninsula following its nuclear test on October 9. 'We think the UN Security Council Resolution 1718 has sent an important and clear message to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). We hope the DPRK side will seriously treat and respond to the important appeal from the international community. Denmark leads the way in banning killer fat COPEN HAGEN Two years ago, Denmark declared war on killer fat, making it illegal for any food to have more than two percent transfats. Offenders now face hefty fines -- or even prison terms. The result? Today, hardly anyone notices the difference. The french fries are still crispy. The pastries are still scrumptious. And the fried chicken is still tasty. Denmark's experience offers a hopeful example for places like Canada and New York City, which are considering setting limits on the dangerous artery-clogging fats. Transfatty acids are typically added to processed foods such as cookies, margarine and fast food. They are cheaper to produce than mono-saturated fats, and give a longer shelf life to the foods they are added to. Producers also argue that removing transfat from processed food will change certain tastes and textures beloved by consumers. But they have been called the tobacco of the nutrition world. They lower good cholesterol while raising bad cholesterol. Even consuming less than five grams of transfat -- the amount found in one piece of fried chicken and a side of french fries -- a day has been linked with a 25 percent increased risk of heart disease. 'No other fat at these low levels of intake, has such harmful effects,' said Dariush Mozaffarian, a cardiologist at Harvard's School of Public Health. It is still too early to tell if removing transfat from food in Denmark has improved the country's health. India showcases economic progress in Australian fair SYDNEY India's economic progress and cultural heritage went on display here as part of a famous annual fair of Sydney. India's participation in the 55th Australian National Field Days (ANFD), the country's longest-running agricultural exhibition, as a guest country marks its first presence in a regional event of Australia. During the three-day exhibition which began today, India is showcasing its agricultural, manufacturing, services and technological sectors. The participating companies include Mahindra & Mahindra, (Tractors and Automative Divisions), MRF Tyres, Nasscom, International Tractors, Modern Industries, Madhuri Enterprise, Agrotech Corporation, DJ Impex, Arcom Impex and Investment and R P Incorporated. Indian classical and Bollywood dances and a fashion parade of traditional Indian constumes are also part of the exhibition. Other Indian cultural organisations taking part in the event are Brahma Kumaris and Yoga in Daily Life, which will conduct meditation and yoga demonstrations for visitors. The Indian participation, in the form of 'India Event', is being organised by the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO). India's participation, in the light of its rapid economic progress, has been ensured as part of a 'regional thrust' initiative of Consulate General. India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) is a partner organiser. Indian participation is expected to enhance engagement with Australia, particularly at regional level. 13 killed in north China coal mine blaze BEIJING At least 13 miners were killed and 22 others injured when a fire razed through a coal mine in north China's Hebei Province, local officials confirmed The blaze started around noon yesterday when 63 miners were working underground in the Longxin Coal Mine in Hecun Township of Handan City. Doctors believe the dead were suffocated or poisoned by gas. The 22 injured miners were receiving medical treatment, with one person in a critical condition, Xinhua news agency reported. The blazed is believed to have started with an electrical fire, but investigations are continuing. The Longxin Coal Mine is collectively owned and most of the miners are locals. China is the world's largest coal producer and consumer. However, Chinese coal mines are considered the deadliest due to high rates of accidents. On an average, 12 miners die every day in Chinese coal mines. China to help 148,000 villages out of poverty in five years BEIJING China plans to lift 148,000 villages out of poverty over the next five years as part of the government's efforts to establish a harmonious and well-off society, a senior official said . Addressing the Poverty Reduction Seminar for Developing Countries at Ministerial Level, director of the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development efforts, Liu Jian said the Chinese government will strengthen infrastructure and social services -- and increase villager income -- in the nation's poorest villages, where 80 per cent of the poor population live. According to statistics, 2.365 million people in China still don't have enough food and clothing. And 4.067 million people do not have regular supplies of food and clothing. The Chinese government will also train labourers in poor areas and promote non-farming employment, Liu said. The government will encourage flagship enterprises to promote reform of agricultural structures in poor areas and increase farmers' income, he said. And 260 poverty reduction flagship enterprises identified by the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development will help 12 million poor people. He stressed the Chinese government will continue to make poverty reduction a priority, develop policies for needy people, call on society as a whole to contribute to poverty reduction and promote balanced development of impoverished areas between natural and human resources. Sri Lanka keeps up air attacks as Norway moves to save truce COLOMBO Sri Lankan jets attacked Tamil Tiger areas after the rebels killed over 100 navy personnel in a suicide attack, even as a Norwegian envoy arrived here to arrange talks between the two parties amid mounting fears that the country was headed for full-scale war. The Defence Ministry said that air force jets pounded a Tiger base in Puthukuddierippu yesterday. However, the pro-rebel Tamilnet.Com said two children were killed and 15 others wounded when four jets struck a civilian settlement and destroyed nine homes yesterday. There were no details of today's air attacks. The bombing took place as Norway's peace envoy Jon Hanssen-Bauer arrived to try and save the collapsing ceasefire and arrange talks between the two parties later this month. The government of President Mahinda Rajapakse said it was commited to peace talks despite yesterday's devastating bombing. Yesterday's suicide bombing came as Japan's special peace envoy Yasushi Akashi was holding talks with President Rajapakse on reviving efforts to end the ethnic violence, which has claimed the lives of 60,000 people since 1972. Akashi is due to hold separate talks with the Tigers in the rebel-held town of Kilinochchi . China to 'seriously' implement UN sanctions on NKorea BEIJING Assuring that it would 'seriously' implement the UN sanctions on North Korea, China asked its close ally to adopt a 'responsible' attitude and refrain from escalating tensions as Pyongyang termed the Security Council resolution 'a declaration of war'. 'As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the Chinese side has always implemented the related UNSC Resolutions seriously and in a responsible matter. This time is no exception,' Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Liu Jianchao told reporters here. The remarks came as US increased its pressure on Beijing to join the rest of the world in making UN sanctions 'hurt' Pyongyang. 'On the one hand, we would act in accordance with our commercial regulations and domestic laws and on the other consider acting in accordance with the UNSC Resolution 1718,' he said when asked whether China has started implementing the sanctions on North Korea amid reports that Chinese customs officials were inspecting goods flowing into Pyongyang through the Dandong border trade route. Asked to comment on North Korea's rejection of the UNSC resolution and its latest warning that it will 'mercilessly strike' if its sovereignty is violated, Liu urged Pyomgang to take a responsible attitude and not aggravate the situation on the Korean Peninsula following its nuclear test on October 9. 'We think the UN Security Council Resolution 1718 has sent an important and clear message to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). We hope the DPRK side will seriously treat and respond to the important appeal from the international community. Back channel talks on to resolve Kashmir issue Kasuri ISLAMABAD India and Pakistan are discussing through back channel 'something different' to resolve the Kashmir issue besides their formal standpoints on the dispute, Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri has said. Back channel talks aimed at hammering out a solution to the Kashmir issue that is acceptable to all parties are taking place, he told the media during an Iftar dinner here last night. He was asked about the chances of the settlement of the Kashmir issue in the light of India's stand that borders cannot be changed and Pakistan's stand that LoC is not acceptable. 'Besides formal standpoints of the two countries on Kashmir, something different is being discussed by other sources,' he said in a reference to 'back-channel contacts between former diplomats and other experts from India and Pakistan, but gave no details, Dawn reported today. Kasuri said relations between the two countries have been improving and there has been progress on the Kashmir specific confidence building measures both at diplomatic and other channels. 'There were Indian troops on Pakistan's border in the past but now the situation has changed and both countries are talking to each other on all issues including the core issue of Kashmir,' he was quoted as saying by state-run APP news agency. Travel access initiated by the two countries, travel across the LoC without passport, meeting of Hurriyat leaders with Indian leadership and the visit of APHC leaders to Pakistan are some of the achievements in Pak-India relations which were not at this stage due to stand off Indian forces, he pointed out. UN calls for more investment in agriculture UNITED NATIONS The United Nations urged countries to invest more in agricultural to feed the 850 million cronically malnourished people across the globe, saying in a world which has the means to feed everybody, this continued suffering is 'inconscionable.' In a message to mark World Food Day, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan in a statement said that many countries, including those most in need, have not allocated sufficient resources to farming and rural development. 'There is a need to reverse this trend, and to channel increased public and private resources towards agricultural activities. Such investment must reach beyond infrastructure and irrigation systems to fund broader human development goals, especially the education of rural women and girls who constitute the backbone of most agrarian economies.' The day's theme this year is 'Investing in agriculture for food security', he said. Calling on the affluent to do more for the poor, UN World Food Programme Executive Director James Morris said 'There's nothing wrong with wanting the best for your own children. But next time you upgrade your child's laptop or book those extra tuition sessions, spare a thought for the millions of children whose fingers will never touch a keyboard. They will be lucky if they even learn to read and write or do basic arithmetic. 'We can make a difference. There is more than enough food in the world,' he said. UNICEF says lack of nutrition remains a major killer of children under five, contributing to approximately 50 per cent of the more than 10 million child deaths every year. Pak court orders release of LeT founder ISLAMABAD A Pakistani court ordered the release of Lashkar-e-Toiba founder Hafeez Muhammad Saeed, ignorng the government's argument that his 'increasing activities' could hurt relations with 'neighbouring' countries. In his order, Lahore High Court Judge Justice Akhter Shabbir asked the government to immediately release Saeed, who was detained on August 28, saying his detention was against the constitution and law. According to Saeed's Attorney Nazeer Ahmad Ghazi, the judge held the arrest order and the reasons given by the government as 'unlawful' and ordered his immediate release. A detailed judgement was expected later. The arrest of the head of the self-proclaimed NGO Jamat-ud-Dawa was challenged by his wife Mehmoona Saeed. Even though the government has not given any reasons for the detention of Saeed, it told the Lahore High Court yesterday that one of the reasons for his detention was that his 'increased activities' could hurt relations with neighbouring countries. Early nod to Indo-US nuke deal will help both nations Sen WASHINGTON The sooner the Indo-US civilian nuclear agreement is in place the better as the deal has acquired a 'symbolic significance' and is a manifestation of a new relationship based on 'trust' and 'mutual benefit', Indian Ambassador to the US Ronen Sen has said. 'I hope that when--I am not saying if-- this agreement, which was reached between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Bush in July last year, is enacted into legislation it will be on the conviction that it is as beneficial for the United States as it is for India,' he said at The India Forum of the School of International Service at American University here yesterday. 'I don't want to push this beyond a point, but sooner it is done the better,' Sen said, adding the civilian nuclear agreement had acquired a certain 'symbolic significance' and that the agreement itself 'is a manifestation of a new relationship which is based on trust' and which is 'firmly set on an upward trajectory'. Speaking during an interactive session, Sen said '...The legislation when it is adopted it will be on the basis of broad bipartisan support as it has happened in the adoption of the legislation in the House of Representatives.' If the Clinton visit of 2000 was memorable, the Bush administration has taken the relationship on a 'much higher level' that, among other things, reflected a fundamental reorientation of American foreign policy, especially as it pertained to seeing India as an emerging regional and potentially a global power, Sen said. The focus of the Indian envoy's address to scholars, students and administrators was on the 'Emerging Strategic Partnership between India and the United States.' UK troops pull out of troubled Afghan dist; airstrike kills 16 KABUL British troops pulled out of a troubled district in southern Afghanistan, while a US-led coalition airstrike killed a suspected midlevel Taliban commander and up to 15 other militants, NATO said. The decision to withdraw the British troops from Helmand province's Musa Qala district follows an agreement with tribal elders and the provincial governor, said Mark Laity, a NATO spokesman in Kabul. President Hamid Karzai also supported the move, he said. The troops left 'because of the sustained period of calm,' Laity said, adding that Afghan security forces answerable to the Afghan government would now be in charge of security there. 'There has not been any contact with the Taliban and they are not involved in this.' Musa Qala has been one of the most volatile regions of Helmand, where about 4,000 British troops who deployed to the province in the spring have met with stiffer resistance than expected from resurgent Taliban militants. That resistance has eased a little in recent weeks, but the Taliban have kept up a steady stream of suicide attacks, as the heaviest fighting in Afghanistan since the Islamic militia's ouster from power five years ago rumbles on. Three 500-pound bombs, meanwhile, were dropped on a compound in the Khod Valley of southern Uruzgan province, in support of a NATO-led operation targeting a group of militants who had previously ambushed NATO and Afghan troops, an alliance statement said. The strike killed a suspected midlevel Taliban commander and up to 15 other suspected militants, the statement said. NATO did not name the suspected Taliban commander. Scientists find unusual meteorite in US KANSAS Scientists were excited when they pulled a 70-kilogram meteorite from deep below a wheat field in Kansas, but what got them most electrified was the way they unearthed it. The team yesterday uncovered the find four feet, or just over one metre, under a meteorite-strewn field using new ground-penetrating radar technology that someday might be used on Mars. It was that technology which pinpointed the site and proved for the first time that it could be used to find objects buried deep in the ground and to make an accurate three-dimensional image of them. 'It validates the technique so we can use something similar to that instrument when we go to Mars,' said Patricia Reiff, director of the Rice Space Institute. Such GPR systems had been used in the past to locate smaller meteorites in Antarctica where ice allows easier penetration of the sonar. But until the Kansas dig, the technology had not been successfully used for ground detection in heavy soils -- like on Mars -- to find meteorites or water there. The dig was likely the most documented excavation yet of a meteorite find, with researchers painstakingly using brushes and hand tools to preserve evidence of the impact trail and to date the event of the meteorite strike. Soil samples also were bagged and tagged and organic material preserved for dating purposes. The expedition was put together by the Houston Museum of Natural Science and led by meteorite hunters Steve Arnold and Philip Mani. China to 'seriously' implement UN sanctions on NKorea BEIJING Assuring that it would 'seriously' implement the UN sanctions on North Korea, China asked its close ally to adopt a 'responsible' attitude and refrain from escalating tensions as Pyongyang termed the Security Council resolution 'a declaration of war'. 'As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the Chinese side has always implemented the related UNSC Resolutions seriously and in a responsible matter. This time is no exception,' Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Liu Jianchao told reporters here. The remarks came as US increased its pressure on Beijing to join the rest of the world in making UN sanctions 'hurt' Pyongyang. 'On the one hand, we would act in accordance with our commercial regulations and domestic laws and on the other consider acting in accordance with the UNSC Resolution 1718,' he said when asked whether China has started implementing the sanctions on North Korea amid reports that Chinese customs officials were inspecting goods flowing into Pyongyang through the Dandong border trade route. Asked to comment on North Korea's rejection of the UNSC resolution and its latest warning that it will 'mercilessly strike' if its sovereignty is violated, Liu urged Pyomgang to take a responsible attitude and not aggravate the situation on the Korean Peninsula following its nuclear test on October 9. 'We think the UN Security Council Resolution 1718 has sent an important and clear message to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). We hope the DPRK side will seriously treat and respond to the important appeal from the international community. Denmark leads the way in banning killer fat COPEN HAGEN Two years ago, Denmark declared war on killer fat, making it illegal for any food to have more than two percent transfats. Offenders now face hefty fines -- or even prison terms. The result? Today, hardly anyone notices the difference. The french fries are still crispy. The pastries are still scrumptious. And the fried chicken is still tasty. Denmark's experience offers a hopeful example for places like Canada and New York City, which are considering setting limits on the dangerous artery-clogging fats. Transfatty acids are typically added to processed foods such as cookies, margarine and fast food. They are cheaper to produce than mono-saturated fats, and give a longer shelf life to the foods they are added to. Producers also argue that removing transfat from processed food will change certain tastes and textures beloved by consumers. But they have been called the tobacco of the nutrition world. They lower good cholesterol while raising bad cholesterol. Even consuming less than five grams of transfat -- the amount found in one piece of fried chicken and a side of french fries -- a day has been linked with a 25 percent increased risk of heart disease. 'No other fat at these low levels of intake, has such harmful effects,' said Dariush Mozaffarian, a cardiologist at Harvard's School of Public Health. It is still too early to tell if removing transfat from food in Denmark has improved the country's health. India showcases economic progress in Australian fair SYDNEY India's economic progress and cultural heritage went on display here as part of a famous annual fair of Sydney. India's participation in the 55th Australian National Field Days (ANFD), the country's longest-running agricultural exhibition, as a guest country marks its first presence in a regional event of Australia. During the three-day exhibition which began today, India is showcasing its agricultural, manufacturing, services and technological sectors. The participating companies include Mahindra & Mahindra, (Tractors and Automative Divisions), MRF Tyres, Nasscom, International Tractors, Modern Industries, Madhuri Enterprise, Agrotech Corporation, DJ Impex, Arcom Impex and Investment and R P Incorporated. Indian classical and Bollywood dances and a fashion parade of traditional Indian constumes are also part of the exhibition. Other Indian cultural organisations taking part in the event are Brahma Kumaris and Yoga in Daily Life, which will conduct meditation and yoga demonstrations for visitors. The Indian participation, in the form of 'India Event', is being organised by the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO). India's participation, in the light of its rapid economic progress, has been ensured as part of a 'regional thrust' initiative of Consulate General. India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) is a partner organiser. Indian participation is expected to enhance engagement with Australia, particularly at regional level. 13 killed in north China coal mine blaze BEIJING At least 13 miners were killed and 22 others injured when a fire razed through a coal mine in north China's Hebei Province, local officials confirmed The blaze started around noon yesterday when 63 miners were working underground in the Longxin Coal Mine in Hecun Township of Handan City. Doctors believe the dead were suffocated or poisoned by gas. The 22 injured miners were receiving medical treatment, with one person in a critical condition, Xinhua news agency reported. The blazed is believed to have started with an electrical fire, but investigations are continuing. The Longxin Coal Mine is collectively owned and most of the miners are locals. China is the world's largest coal producer and consumer. However, Chinese coal mines are considered the deadliest due to high rates of accidents. On an average, 12 miners die every day in Chinese coal mines. China to help 148,000 villages out of poverty in five years BEIJING China plans to lift 148,000 villages out of poverty over the next five years as part of the government's efforts to establish a harmonious and well-off society, a senior official said . Addressing the Poverty Reduction Seminar for Developing Countries at Ministerial Level, director of the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development efforts, Liu Jian said the Chinese government will strengthen infrastructure and social services -- and increase villager income -- in the nation's poorest villages, where 80 per cent of the poor population live. According to statistics, 2.365 million people in China still don't have enough food and clothing. And 4.067 million people do not have regular supplies of food and clothing. The Chinese government will also train labourers in poor areas and promote non-farming employment, Liu said. The government will encourage flagship enterprises to promote reform of agricultural structures in poor areas and increase farmers' income, he said. And 260 poverty reduction flagship enterprises identified by the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development will help 12 million poor people. He stressed the Chinese government will continue to make poverty reduction a priority, develop policies for needy people, call on society as a whole to contribute to poverty reduction and promote balanced development of impoverished areas between natural and human resources. Sri Lanka keeps up air attacks as Norway moves to save truce COLOMBO Sri Lankan jets attacked Tamil Tiger areas after the rebels killed over 100 navy personnel in a suicide attack, even as a Norwegian envoy arrived here to arrange talks between the two parties amid mounting fears that the country was headed for full-scale war. The Defence Ministry said that air force jets pounded a Tiger base in Puthukuddierippu yesterday. However, the pro-rebel Tamilnet.Com said two children were killed and 15 others wounded when four jets struck a civilian settlement and destroyed nine homes yesterday. There were no details of today's air attacks. The bombing took place as Norway's peace envoy Jon Hanssen-Bauer arrived to try and save the collapsing ceasefire and arrange talks between the two parties later this month. The government of President Mahinda Rajapakse said it was commited to peace talks despite yesterday's devastating bombing. Yesterday's suicide bombing came as Japan's special peace envoy Yasushi Akashi was holding talks with President Rajapakse on reviving efforts to end the ethnic violence, which has claimed the lives of 60,000 people since 1972. Akashi is due to hold separate talks with the Tigers in the rebel-held town of Kilinochchi . China to 'seriously' implement UN sanctions on NKorea BEIJING Assuring that it would 'seriously' implement the UN sanctions on North Korea, China asked its close ally to adopt a 'responsible' attitude and refrain from escalating tensions as Pyongyang termed the Security Council resolution 'a declaration of war'. 'As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the Chinese side has always implemented the related UNSC Resolutions seriously and in a responsible matter. This time is no exception,' Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Liu Jianchao told reporters here. The remarks came as US increased its pressure on Beijing to join the rest of the world in making UN sanctions 'hurt' Pyongyang. 'On the one hand, we would act in accordance with our commercial regulations and domestic laws and on the other consider acting in accordance with the UNSC Resolution 1718,' he said when asked whether China has started implementing the sanctions on North Korea amid reports that Chinese customs officials were inspecting goods flowing into Pyongyang through the Dandong border trade route. Asked to comment on North Korea's rejection of the UNSC resolution and its latest warning that it will 'mercilessly strike' if its sovereignty is violated, Liu urged Pyomgang to take a responsible attitude and not aggravate the situation on the Korean Peninsula following its nuclear test on October 9. 'We think the UN Security Council Resolution 1718 has sent an important and clear message to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). We hope the DPRK side will seriously treat and respond to the important appeal from the international community. Back channel talks on to resolve Kashmir issue Kasuri ISLAMABAD India and Pakistan are discussing through back channel 'something different' to resolve the Kashmir issue besides their formal standpoints on the dispute, Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri has said. Back channel talks aimed at hammering out a solution to the Kashmir issue that is acceptable to all parties are taking place, he told the media during an Iftar dinner here last night. He was asked about the chances of the settlement of the Kashmir issue in the light of India's stand that borders cannot be changed and Pakistan's stand that LoC is not acceptable. 'Besides formal standpoints of the two countries on Kashmir, something different is being discussed by other sources,' he said in a reference to 'back-channel contacts between former diplomats and other experts from India and Pakistan, but gave no details, Dawn reported today. Kasuri said relations between the two countries have been improving and there has been progress on the Kashmir specific confidence building measures both at diplomatic and other channels. 'There were Indian troops on Pakistan's border in the past but now the situation has changed and both countries are talking to each other on all issues including the core issue of Kashmir,' he was quoted as saying by state-run APP news agency. Travel access initiated by the two countries, travel across the LoC without passport, meeting of Hurriyat leaders with Indian leadership and the visit of APHC leaders to Pakistan are some of the achievements in Pak-India relations which were not at this stage due to stand off Indian forces, he pointed out. UN calls for more investment in agriculture UNITED NATIONS The United Nations urged countries to invest more in agricultural to feed the 850 million cronically malnourished people across the globe, saying in a world which has the means to feed everybody, this continued suffering is 'inconscionable.' In a message to mark World Food Day, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan in a statement said that many countries, including those most in need, have not allocated sufficient resources to farming and rural development. 'There is a need to reverse this trend, and to channel increased public and private resources towards agricultural activities. Such investment must reach beyond infrastructure and irrigation systems to fund broader human development goals, especially the education of rural women and girls who constitute the backbone of most agrarian economies.' The day's theme this year is 'Investing in agriculture for food security', he said. Calling on the affluent to do more for the poor, UN World Food Programme Executive Director James Morris said 'There's nothing wrong with wanting the best for your own children. But next time you upgrade your child's laptop or book those extra tuition sessions, spare a thought for the millions of children whose fingers will never touch a keyboard. They will be lucky if they even learn to read and write or do basic arithmetic. 'We can make a difference. There is more than enough food in the world,' he said. UNICEF says lack of nutrition remains a major killer of children under five, contributing to approximately 50 per cent of the more than 10 million child deaths every year. Pak court orders release of LeT founder ISLAMABAD A Pakistani court ordered the release of Lashkar-e-Toiba founder Hafeez Muhammad Saeed, ignorng the government's argument that his 'increasing activities' could hurt relations with 'neighbouring' countries. In his order, Lahore High Court Judge Justice Akhter Shabbir asked the government to immediately release Saeed, who was detained on August 28, saying his detention was against the constitution and law. According to Saeed's Attorney Nazeer Ahmad Ghazi, the judge held the arrest order and the reasons given by the government as 'unlawful' and ordered his immediate release. A detailed judgement was expected later. The arrest of the head of the self-proclaimed NGO Jamat-ud-Dawa was challenged by his wife Mehmoona Saeed. Even though the government has not given any reasons for the detention of Saeed, it told the Lahore High Court yesterday that one of the reasons for his detention was that his 'increased activities' could hurt relations with neighbouring countries. Early nod to Indo-US nuke deal will help both nations Sen WASHINGTON The sooner the Indo-US civilian nuclear agreement is in place the better as the deal has acquired a 'symbolic significance' and is a manifestation of a new relationship based on 'trust' and 'mutual benefit', Indian Ambassador to the US Ronen Sen has said. 'I hope that when--I am not saying if-- this agreement, which was reached between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Bush in July last year, is enacted into legislation it will be on the conviction that it is as beneficial for the United States as it is for India,' he said at The India Forum of the School of International Service at American University here yesterday. 'I don't want to push this beyond a point, but sooner it is done the better,' Sen said, adding the civilian nuclear agreement had acquired a certain 'symbolic significance' and that the agreement itself 'is a manifestation of a new relationship which is based on trust' and which is 'firmly set on an upward trajectory'. Speaking during an interactive session, Sen said '...The legislation when it is adopted it will be on the basis of broad bipartisan support as it has happened in the adoption of the legislation in the House of Representatives.' If the Clinton visit of 2000 was memorable, the Bush administration has taken the relationship on a 'much higher level' that, among other things, reflected a fundamental reorientation of American foreign policy, especially as it pertained to seeing India as an emerging regional and potentially a global power, Sen said. The focus of the Indian envoy's address to scholars, students and administrators was on the 'Emerging Strategic Partnership between India and the United States.' UK troops pull out of troubled Afghan dist; airstrike kills 16 KABUL British troops pulled out of a troubled district in southern Afghanistan, while a US-led coalition airstrike killed a suspected midlevel Taliban commander and up to 15 other militants, NATO said. The decision to withdraw the British troops from Helmand province's Musa Qala district follows an agreement with tribal elders and the provincial governor, said Mark Laity, a NATO spokesman in Kabul. President Hamid Karzai also supported the move, he said. The troops left 'because of the sustained period of calm,' Laity said, adding that Afghan security forces answerable to the Afghan government would now be in charge of security there. 'There has not been any contact with the Taliban and they are not involved in this.' Musa Qala has been one of the most volatile regions of Helmand, where about 4,000 British troops who deployed to the province in the spring have met with stiffer resistance than expected from resurgent Taliban militants. That resistance has eased a little in recent weeks, but the Taliban have kept up a steady stream of suicide attacks, as the heaviest fighting in Afghanistan since the Islamic militia's ouster from power five years ago rumbles on. Three 500-pound bombs, meanwhile, were dropped on a compound in the Khod Valley of southern Uruzgan province, in support of a NATO-led operation targeting a group of militants who had previously ambushed NATO and Afghan troops, an alliance statement said. The strike killed a suspected midlevel Taliban commander and up to 15 other suspected militants, the statement said. NATO did not name the suspected Taliban commander. Scientists find unusual meteorite in US KANSAS Scientists were excited when they pulled a 70-kilogram meteorite from deep below a wheat field in Kansas, but what got them most electrified was the way they unearthed it. The team yesterday uncovered the find four feet, or just over one metre, under a meteorite-strewn field using new ground-penetrating radar technology that someday might be used on Mars. It was that technology which pinpointed the site and proved for the first time that it could be used to find objects buried deep in the ground and to make an accurate three-dimensional image of them. 'It validates the technique so we can use something similar to that instrument when we go to Mars,' said Patricia Reiff, director of the Rice Space Institute. Such GPR systems had been used in the past to locate smaller meteorites in Antarctica where ice allows easier penetration of the sonar. But until the Kansas dig, the technology had not been successfully used for ground detection in heavy soils -- like on Mars -- to find meteorites or water there. The dig was likely the most documented excavation yet of a meteorite find, with researchers painstakingly using brushes and hand tools to preserve evidence of the impact trail and to date the event of the meteorite strike. Soil samples also were bagged and tagged and organic material preserved for dating purposes. The expedition was put together by the Houston Museum of Natural Science and led by meteorite hunters Steve Arnold and Philip Mani. China to 'seriously' implement UN sanctions on NKorea BEIJING Assuring that it would 'seriously' implement the UN sanctions on North Korea, China asked its close ally to adopt a 'responsible' attitude and refrain from escalating tensions as Pyongyang termed the Security Council resolution 'a declaration of war'. 'As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the Chinese side has always implemented the related UNSC Resolutions seriously and in a responsible matter. This time is no exception,' Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Liu Jianchao told reporters here. The remarks came as US increased its pressure on Beijing to join the rest of the world in making UN sanctions 'hurt' Pyongyang. 'On the one hand, we would act in accordance with our commercial regulations and domestic laws and on the other consider acting in accordance with the UNSC Resolution 1718,' he said when asked whether China has started implementing the sanctions on North Korea amid reports that Chinese customs officials were inspecting goods flowing into Pyongyang through the Dandong border trade route. Asked to comment on North Korea's rejection of the UNSC resolution and its latest warning that it will 'mercilessly strike' if its sovereignty is violated, Liu urged Pyomgang to take a responsible attitude and not aggravate the situation on the Korean Peninsula following its nuclear test on October 9. 'We think the UN Security Council Resolution 1718 has sent an important and clear message to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). We hope the DPRK side will seriously treat and respond to the important appeal from the international community. Denmark leads the way in banning killer fat COPEN HAGEN Two years ago, Denmark declared war on killer fat, making it illegal for any food to have more than two percent transfats. Offenders now face hefty fines -- or even prison terms. The result? Today, hardly anyone notices the difference. The french fries are still crispy. The pastries are still scrumptious. And the fried chicken is still tasty. Denmark's experience offers a hopeful example for places like Canada and New York City, which are considering setting limits on the dangerous artery-clogging fats. Transfatty acids are typically added to processed foods such as cookies, margarine and fast food. They are cheaper to produce than mono-saturated fats, and give a longer shelf life to the foods they are added to. Producers also argue that removing transfat from processed food will change certain tastes and textures beloved by consumers. But they have been called the tobacco of the nutrition world. They lower good cholesterol while raising bad cholesterol. Even consuming less than five grams of transfat -- the amount found in one piece of fried chicken and a side of french fries -- a day has been linked with a 25 percent increased risk of heart disease. 'No other fat at these low levels of intake, has such harmful effects,' said Dariush Mozaffarian, a cardiologist at Harvard's School of Public Health. It is still too early to tell if removing transfat from food in Denmark has improved the country's health. India showcases economic progress in Australian fair SYDNEY India's economic progress and cultural heritage went on display here as part of a famous annual fair of Sydney. India's participation in the 55th Australian National Field Days (ANFD), the country's longest-running agricultural exhibition, as a guest country marks its first presence in a regional event of Australia. During the three-day exhibition which began today, India is showcasing its agricultural, manufacturing, services and technological sectors. The participating companies include Mahindra & Mahindra, (Tractors and Automative Divisions), MRF Tyres, Nasscom, International Tractors, Modern Industries, Madhuri Enterprise, Agrotech Corporation, DJ Impex, Arcom Impex and Investment and R P Incorporated. Indian classical and Bollywood dances and a fashion parade of traditional Indian constumes are also part of the exhibition. Other Indian cultural organisations taking part in the event are Brahma Kumaris and Yoga in Daily Life, which will conduct meditation and yoga demonstrations for visitors. The Indian participation, in the form of 'India Event', is being organised by the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO). India's participation, in the light of its rapid economic progress, has been ensured as part of a 'regional thrust' initiative of Consulate General. India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) is a partner organiser. Indian participation is expected to enhance engagement with Australia, particularly at regional level. 13 killed in north China coal mine blaze BEIJING At least 13 miners were killed and 22 others injured when a fire razed through a coal mine in north China's Hebei Province, local officials confirmed The blaze started around noon yesterday when 63 miners were working underground in the Longxin Coal Mine in Hecun Township of Handan City. Doctors believe the dead were suffocated or poisoned by gas. The 22 injured miners were receiving medical treatment, with one person in a critical condition, Xinhua news agency reported. The blazed is believed to have started with an electrical fire, but investigations are continuing. The Longxin Coal Mine is collectively owned and most of the miners are locals. China is the world's largest coal producer and consumer. However, Chinese coal mines are considered the deadliest due to high rates of accidents. On an average, 12 miners die every day in Chinese coal mines. China to help 148,000 villages out of poverty in five years BEIJING China plans to lift 148,000 villages out of poverty over the next five years as part of the government's efforts to establish a harmonious and well-off society, a senior official said . Addressing the Poverty Reduction Seminar for Developing Countries at Ministerial Level, director of the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development efforts, Liu Jian said the Chinese government will strengthen infrastructure and social services -- and increase villager income -- in the nation's poorest villages, where 80 per cent of the poor population live. According to statistics, 2.365 million people in China still don't have enough food and clothing. And 4.067 million people do not have regular supplies of food and clothing. The Chinese government will also train labourers in poor areas and promote non-farming employment, Liu said. The government will encourage flagship enterprises to promote reform of agricultural structures in poor areas and increase farmers' income, he said. And 260 poverty reduction flagship enterprises identified by the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development will help 12 million poor people. He stressed the Chinese government will continue to make poverty reduction a priority, develop policies for needy people, call on society as a whole to contribute to poverty reduction and promote balanced development of impoverished areas between natural and human resources. Sri Lanka keeps up air attacks as Norway moves to save truce COLOMBO Sri Lankan jets attacked Tamil Tiger areas after the rebels killed over 100 navy personnel in a suicide attack, even as a Norwegian envoy arrived here to arrange talks between the two parties amid mounting fears that the country was headed for full-scale war. The Defence Ministry said that air force jets pounded a Tiger base in Puthukuddierippu yesterday. However, the pro-rebel Tamilnet.Com said two children were killed and 15 others wounded when four jets struck a civilian settlement and destroyed nine homes yesterday. There were no details of today's air attacks. The bombing took place as Norway's peace envoy Jon Hanssen-Bauer arrived to try and save the collapsing ceasefire and arrange talks between the two parties later this month. The government of President Mahinda Rajapakse said it was commited to peace talks despite yesterday's devastating bombing. Yesterday's suicide bombing came as Japan's special peace envoy Yasushi Akashi was holding talks with President Rajapakse on reviving efforts to end the ethnic violence, which has claimed the lives of 60,000 people since 1972. Akashi is due to hold separate talks with the Tigers in the rebel-held town of Kilinochchi . China to 'seriously' implement UN sanctions on NKorea BEIJING Assuring that it would 'seriously' implement the UN sanctions on North Korea, China asked its close ally to adopt a 'responsible' attitude and refrain from escalating tensions as Pyongyang termed the Security Council resolution 'a declaration of war'. 'As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the Chinese side has always implemented the related UNSC Resolutions seriously and in a responsible matter. This time is no exception,' Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Liu Jianchao told reporters here. The remarks came as US increased its pressure on Beijing to join the rest of the world in making UN sanctions 'hurt' Pyongyang. 'On the one hand, we would act in accordance with our commercial regulations and domestic laws and on the other consider acting in accordance with the UNSC Resolution 1718,' he said when asked whether China has started implementing the sanctions on North Korea amid reports that Chinese customs officials were inspecting goods flowing into Pyongyang through the Dandong border trade route. Asked to comment on North Korea's rejection of the UNSC resolution and its latest warning that it will 'mercilessly strike' if its sovereignty is violated, Liu urged Pyomgang to take a responsible attitude and not aggravate the situation on the Korean Peninsula following its nuclear test on October 9. 'We think the UN Security Council Resolution 1718 has sent an important and clear message to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). We hope the DPRK side will seriously treat and respond to the important appeal from the international community. Back channel talks on to resolve Kashmir issue Kasuri ISLAMABAD India and Pakistan are discussing through back channel 'something different' to resolve the Kashmir issue besides their formal standpoints on the dispute, Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri has said. Back channel talks aimed at hammering out a solution to the Kashmir issue that is acceptable to all parties are taking place, he told the media during an Iftar dinner here last night. He was asked about the chances of the settlement of the Kashmir issue in the light of India's stand that borders cannot be changed and Pakistan's stand that LoC is not acceptable. 'Besides formal standpoints of the two countries on Kashmir, something different is being discussed by other sources,' he said in a reference to 'back-channel contacts between former diplomats and other experts from India and Pakistan, but gave no details, Dawn reported today. Kasuri said relations between the two countries have been improving and there has been progress on the Kashmir specific confidence building measures both at diplomatic and other channels. 'There were Indian troops on Pakistan's border in the past but now the situation has changed and both countries are talking to each other on all issues including the core issue of Kashmir,' he was quoted as saying by state-run APP news agency. Travel access initiated by the two countries, travel across the LoC without passport, meeting of Hurriyat leaders with Indian leadership and the visit of APHC leaders to Pakistan are some of the achievements in Pak-India relations which were not at this stage due to stand off Indian forces, he pointed out. UN calls for more investment in agriculture UNITED NATIONS The United Nations urged countries to invest more in agricultural to feed the 850 million cronically malnourished people across the globe, saying in a world which has the means to feed everybody, this continued suffering is 'inconscionable.' In a message to mark World Food Day, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan in a statement said that many countries, including those most in need, have not allocated sufficient resources to farming and rural development. 'There is a need to reverse this trend, and to channel increased public and private resources towards agricultural activities. Such investment must reach beyond infrastructure and irrigation systems to fund broader human development goals, especially the education of rural women and girls who constitute the backbone of most agrarian economies.' The day's theme this year is 'Investing in agriculture for food security', he said. Calling on the affluent to do more for the poor, UN World Food Programme Executive Director James Morris said 'There's nothing wrong with wanting the best for your own children. But next time you upgrade your child's laptop or book those extra tuition sessions, spare a thought for the millions of children whose fingers will never touch a keyboard. They will be lucky if they even learn to read and write or do basic arithmetic. 'We can make a difference. There is more than enough food in the world,' he said. UNICEF says lack of nutrition remains a major killer of children under five, contributing to approximately 50 per cent of the more than 10 million child deaths every year. Pak court orders release of LeT founder ISLAMABAD A Pakistani court ordered the release of Lashkar-e-Toiba founder Hafeez Muhammad Saeed, ignorng the government's argument that his 'increasing activities' could hurt relations with 'neighbouring' countries. In his order, Lahore High Court Judge Justice Akhter Shabbir asked the government to immediately release Saeed, who was detained on August 28, saying his detention was against the constitution and law. According to Saeed's Attorney Nazeer Ahmad Ghazi, the judge held the arrest order and the reasons given by the government as 'unlawful' and ordered his immediate release. A detailed judgement was expected later. The arrest of the head of the self-proclaimed NGO Jamat-ud-Dawa was challenged by his wife Mehmoona Saeed. Even though the government has not given any reasons for the detention of Saeed, it told the Lahore High Court yesterday that one of the reasons for his detention was that his 'increased activities' could hurt relations with neighbouring countries. Early nod to Indo-US nuke deal will help both nations Sen WASHINGTON The sooner the Indo-US civilian nuclear agreement is in place the better as the deal has acquired a 'symbolic significance' and is a manifestation of a new relationship based on 'trust' and 'mutual benefit', Indian Ambassador to the US Ronen Sen has said. 'I hope that when--I am not saying if-- this agreement, which was reached between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Bush in July last year, is enacted into legislation it will be on the conviction that it is as beneficial for the United States as it is for India,' he said at The India Forum of the School of International Service at American University here yesterday. 'I don't want to push this beyond a point, but sooner it is done the better,' Sen said, adding the civilian nuclear agreement had acquired a certain 'symbolic significance' and that the agreement itself 'is a manifestation of a new relationship which is based on trust' and which is 'firmly set on an upward trajectory'. Speaking during an interactive session, Sen said '...The legislation when it is adopted it will be on the basis of broad bipartisan support as it has happened in the adoption of the legislation in the House of Representatives.' If the Clinton visit of 2000 was memorable, the Bush administration has taken the relationship on a 'much higher level' that, among other things, reflected a fundamental reorientation of American foreign policy, especially as it pertained to seeing India as an emerging regional and potentially a global power, Sen said. The focus of the Indian envoy's address to scholars, students and administrators was on the 'Emerging Strategic Partnership between India and the United States.' UK troops pull out of troubled Afghan dist; airstrike kills 16 KABUL British troops pulled out of a troubled district in southern Afghanistan, while a US-led coalition airstrike killed a suspected midlevel Taliban commander and up to 15 other militants, NATO said. The decision to withdraw the British troops from Helmand province's Musa Qala district follows an agreement with tribal elders and the provincial governor, said Mark Laity, a NATO spokesman in Kabul. President Hamid Karzai also supported the move, he said. The troops left 'because of the sustained period of calm,' Laity said, adding that Afghan security forces answerable to the Afghan government would now be in charge of security there. 'There has not been any contact with the Taliban and they are not involved in this.' Musa Qala has been one of the most volatile regions of Helmand, where about 4,000 British troops who deployed to the province in the spring have met with stiffer resistance than expected from resurgent Taliban militants. That resistance has eased a little in recent weeks, but the Taliban have kept up a steady stream of suicide attacks, as the heaviest fighting in Afghanistan since the Islamic militia's ouster from power five years ago rumbles on. Three 500-pound bombs, meanwhile, were dropped on a compound in the Khod Valley of southern Uruzgan province, in support of a NATO-led operation targeting a group of militants who had previously ambushed NATO and Afghan troops, an alliance statement said. The strike killed a suspected midlevel Taliban commander and up to 15 other suspected militants, the statement said. NATO did not name the suspected Taliban commander. Scientists find unusual meteorite in US KANSAS Scientists were excited when they pulled a 70-kilogram meteorite from deep below a wheat field in Kansas, but what got them most electrified was the way they unearthed it. The team yesterday uncovered the find four feet, or just over one metre, under a meteorite-strewn field using new ground-penetrating radar technology that someday might be used on Mars. It was that technology which pinpointed the site and proved for the first time that it could be used to find objects buried deep in the ground and to make an accurate three-dimensional image of them. 'It validates the technique so we can use something similar to that instrument when we go to Mars,' said Patricia Reiff, director of the Rice Space Institute. Such GPR systems had been used in the past to locate smaller meteorites in Antarctica where ice allows easier penetration of the sonar. But until the Kansas dig, the technology had not been successfully used for ground detection in heavy soils -- like on Mars -- to find meteorites or water there. The dig was likely the most documented excavation yet of a meteorite find, with researchers painstakingly using brushes and hand tools to preserve evidence of the impact trail and to date the event of the meteorite strike. Soil samples also were bagged and tagged and organic material preserved for dating purposes. The expedition was put together by the Houston Museum of Natural Science and led by meteorite hunters Steve Arnold and Philip Mani. China to 'seriously' implement UN sanctions on NKorea BEIJING Assuring that it would 'seriously' implement the UN sanctions on North Korea, China asked its close ally to adopt a 'responsible' attitude and refrain from escalating tensions as Pyongyang termed the Security Council resolution 'a declaration of war'. 'As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the Chinese side has always implemented the related UNSC Resolutions seriously and in a responsible matter. This time is no exception,' Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Liu Jianchao told reporters here. The remarks came as US increased its pressure on Beijing to join the rest of the world in making UN sanctions 'hurt' Pyongyang. 'On the one hand, we would act in accordance with our commercial regulations and domestic laws and on the other consider acting in accordance with the UNSC Resolution 1718,' he said when asked whether China has started implementing the sanctions on North Korea amid reports that Chinese customs officials were inspecting goods flowing into Pyongyang through the Dandong border trade route. Asked to comment on North Korea's rejection of the UNSC resolution and its latest warning that it will 'mercilessly strike' if its sovereignty is violated, Liu urged Pyomgang to take a responsible attitude and not aggravate the situation on the Korean Peninsula following its nuclear test on October 9. 'We think the UN Security Council Resolution 1718 has sent an important and clear message to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). We hope the DPRK side will seriously treat and respond to the important appeal from the international community. Denmark leads the way in banning killer fat COPEN HAGEN Two years ago, Denmark declared war on killer fat, making it illegal for any food to have more than two percent transfats. Offenders now face hefty fines -- or even prison terms. The result? Today, hardly anyone notices the difference. The french fries are still crispy. The pastries are still scrumptious. And the fried chicken is still tasty. Denmark's experience offers a hopeful example for places like Canada and New York City, which are considering setting limits on the dangerous artery-clogging fats. Transfatty acids are typically added to processed foods such as cookies, margarine and fast food. They are cheaper to produce than mono-saturated fats, and give a longer shelf life to the foods they are added to. Producers also argue that removing transfat from processed food will change certain tastes and textures beloved by consumers. But they have been called the tobacco of the nutrition world. They lower good cholesterol while raising bad cholesterol. Even consuming less than five grams of transfat -- the amount found in one piece of fried chicken and a side of french fries -- a day has been linked with a 25 percent increased risk of heart disease. 'No other fat at these low levels of intake, has such harmful effects,' said Dariush Mozaffarian, a cardiologist at Harvard's School of Public Health. It is still too early to tell if removing transfat from food in Denmark has improved the country's health. India showcases economic progress in Australian fair SYDNEY India's economic progress and cultural heritage went on display here as part of a famous annual fair of Sydney. India's participation in the 55th Australian National Field Days (ANFD), the country's longest-running agricultural exhibition, as a guest country marks its first presence in a regional event of Australia. During the three-day exhibition which began today, India is showcasing its agricultural, manufacturing, services and technological sectors. The participating companies include Mahindra & Mahindra, (Tractors and Automative Divisions), MRF Tyres, Nasscom, International Tractors, Modern Industries, Madhuri Enterprise, Agrotech Corporation, DJ Impex, Arcom Impex and Investment and R P Incorporated. Indian classical and Bollywood dances and a fashion parade of traditional Indian constumes are also part of the exhibition. Other Indian cultural organisations taking part in the event are Brahma Kumaris and Yoga in Daily Life, which will conduct meditation and yoga demonstrations for visitors. The Indian participation, in the form of 'India Event', is being organised by the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO). India's participation, in the light of its rapid economic progress, has been ensured as part of a 'regional thrust' initiative of Consulate General. India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) is a partner organiser. Indian participation is expected to enhance engagement with Australia, particularly at regional level. 13 killed in north China coal mine blaze BEIJING At least 13 miners were killed and 22 others injured when a fire razed through a coal mine in north China's Hebei Province, local officials confirmed The blaze started around noon yesterday when 63 miners were working underground in the Longxin Coal Mine in Hecun Township of Handan City. Doctors believe the dead were suffocated or poisoned by gas. The 22 injured miners were receiving medical treatment, with one person in a critical condition, Xinhua news agency reported. The blazed is believed to have started with an electrical fire, but investigations are continuing. The Longxin Coal Mine is collectively owned and most of the miners are locals. China is the world's largest coal producer and consumer. However, Chinese coal mines are considered the deadliest due to high rates of accidents. On an average, 12 miners die every day in Chinese coal mines. China to help 148,000 villages out of poverty in five years BEIJING China plans to lift 148,000 villages out of poverty over the next five years as part of the government's efforts to establish a harmonious and well-off society, a senior official said . Addressing the Poverty Reduction Seminar for Developing Countries at Ministerial Level, director of the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development efforts, Liu Jian said the Chinese government will strengthen infrastructure and social services -- and increase villager income -- in the nation's poorest villages, where 80 per cent of the poor population live. According to statistics, 2.365 million people in China still don't have enough food and clothing. And 4.067 million people do not have regular supplies of food and clothing. The Chinese government will also train labourers in poor areas and promote non-farming employment, Liu said. The government will encourage flagship enterprises to promote reform of agricultural structures in poor areas and increase farmers' income, he said. And 260 poverty reduction flagship enterprises identified by the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development will help 12 million poor people. He stressed the Chinese government will continue to make poverty reduction a priority, develop policies for needy people, call on society as a whole to contribute to poverty reduction and promote balanced development of impoverished areas between natural and human resources. Sri Lanka keeps up air attacks as Norway moves to save truce COLOMBO Sri Lankan jets attacked Tamil Tiger areas after the rebels killed over 100 navy personnel in a suicide attack, even as a Norwegian envoy arrived here to arrange talks between the two parties amid mounting fears that the country was headed for full-scale war. The Defence Ministry said that air force jets pounded a Tiger base in Puthukuddierippu yesterday. However, the pro-rebel Tamilnet.Com said two children were killed and 15 others wounded when four jets struck a civilian settlement and destroyed nine homes yesterday. There were no details of today's air attacks. The bombing took place as Norway's peace envoy Jon Hanssen-Bauer arrived to try and save the collapsing ceasefire and arrange talks between the two parties later this month. The government of President Mahinda Rajapakse said it was commited to peace talks despite yesterday's devastating bombing. Yesterday's suicide bombing came as Japan's special peace envoy Yasushi Akashi was holding talks with President Rajapakse on reviving efforts to end the ethnic violence, which has claimed the lives of 60,000 people since 1972. Akashi is due to hold separate talks with the Tigers in the rebel-held town of Kilinochchi . China to 'seriously' implement UN sanctions on NKorea BEIJING Assuring that it would 'seriously' implement the UN sanctions on North Korea, China asked its close ally to adopt a 'responsible' attitude and refrain from escalating tensions as Pyongyang termed the Security Council resolution 'a declaration of war'. 'As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the Chinese side has always implemented the related UNSC Resolutions seriously and in a responsible matter. This time is no exception,' Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Liu Jianchao told reporters here. The remarks came as US increased its pressure on Beijing to join the rest of the world in making UN sanctions 'hurt' Pyongyang. 'On the one hand, we would act in accordance with our commercial regulations and domestic laws and on the other consider acting in accordance with the UNSC Resolution 1718,' he said when asked whether China has started implementing the sanctions on North Korea amid reports that Chinese customs officials were inspecting goods flowing into Pyongyang through the Dandong border trade route. Asked to comment on North Korea's rejection of the UNSC resolution and its latest warning that it will 'mercilessly strike' if its sovereignty is violated, Liu urged Pyomgang to take a responsible attitude and not aggravate the situation on the Korean Peninsula following its nuclear test on October 9. 'We think the UN Security Council Resolution 1718 has sent an important and clear message to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). We hope the DPRK side will seriously treat and respond to the important appeal from the international community. Back channel talks on to resolve Kashmir issue Kasuri ISLAMABAD India and Pakistan are discussing through back channel 'something different' to resolve the Kashmir issue besides their formal standpoints on the dispute, Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri has said. Back channel talks aimed at hammering out a solution to the Kashmir issue that is acceptable to all parties are taking place, he told the media during an Iftar dinner here last night. He was asked about the chances of the settlement of the Kashmir issue in the light of India's stand that borders cannot be changed and Pakistan's stand that LoC is not acceptable. 'Besides formal standpoints of the two countries on Kashmir, something different is being discussed by other sources,' he said in a reference to 'back-channel contacts between former diplomats and other experts from India and Pakistan, but gave no details, Dawn reported today. Kasuri said relations between the two countries have been improving and there has been progress on the Kashmir specific confidence building measures both at diplomatic and other channels. 'There were Indian troops on Pakistan's border in the past but now the situation has changed and both countries are talking to each other on all issues including the core issue of Kashmir,' he was quoted as saying by state-run APP news agency. Travel access initiated by the two countries, travel across the LoC without passport, meeting of Hurriyat leaders with Indian leadership and the visit of APHC leaders to Pakistan are some of the achievements in Pak-India relations which were not at this stage due to stand off Indian forces, he pointed out. UN calls for more investment in agriculture UNITED NATIONS The United Nations urged countries to invest more in agricultural to feed the 850 million cronically malnourished people across the globe, saying in a world which has the means to feed everybody, this continued suffering is 'inconscionable.' In a message to mark World Food Day, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan in a statement said that many countries, including those most in need, have not allocated sufficient resources to farming and rural development. 'There is a need to reverse this trend, and to channel increased public and private resources towards agricultural activities. Such investment must reach beyond infrastructure and irrigation systems to fund broader human development goals, especially the education of rural women and girls who constitute the backbone of most agrarian economies.' The day's theme this year is 'Investing in agriculture for food security', he said. Calling on the affluent to do more for the poor, UN World Food Programme Executive Director James Morris said 'There's nothing wrong with wanting the best for your own children. But next time you upgrade your child's laptop or book those extra tuition sessions, spare a thought for the millions of children whose fingers will never touch a keyboard. They will be lucky if they even learn to read and write or do basic arithmetic. 'We can make a difference. There is more than enough food in the world,' he said. UNICEF says lack of nutrition remains a major killer of children under five, contributing to approximately 50 per cent of the more than 10 million child deaths every year. Pak court orders release of LeT founder ISLAMABAD A Pakistani court ordered the release of Lashkar-e-Toiba founder Hafeez Muhammad Saeed, ignorng the government's argument that his 'increasing activities' could hurt relations with 'neighbouring' countries. In his order, Lahore High Court Judge Justice Akhter Shabbir asked the government to immediately release Saeed, who was detained on August 28, saying his detention was against the constitution and law. According to Saeed's Attorney Nazeer Ahmad Ghazi, the judge held the arrest order and the reasons given by the government as 'unlawful' and ordered his immediate release. A detailed judgement was expected later. The arrest of the head of the self-proclaimed NGO Jamat-ud-Dawa was challenged by his wife Mehmoona Saeed. Even though the government has not given any reasons for the detention of Saeed, it told the Lahore High Court yesterday that one of the reasons for his detention was that his 'increased activities' could hurt relations with neighbouring countries. Early nod to Indo-US nuke deal will help both nations Sen WASHINGTON The sooner the Indo-US civilian nuclear agreement is in place the better as the deal has acquired a 'symbolic significance' and is a manifestation of a new relationship based on 'trust' and 'mutual benefit', Indian Ambassador to the US Ronen Sen has said. 'I hope that when--I am not saying if-- this agreement, which was reached between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Bush in July last year, is enacted into legislation it will be on the conviction that it is as beneficial for the United States as it is for India,' he said at The India Forum of the School of International Service at American University here yesterday. 'I don't want to push this beyond a point, but sooner it is done the better,' Sen said, adding the civilian nuclear agreement had acquired a certain 'symbolic significance' and that the agreement itself 'is a manifestation of a new relationship which is based on trust' and which is 'firmly set on an upward trajectory'. Speaking during an interactive session, Sen said '...The legislation when it is adopted it will be on the basis of broad bipartisan support as it has happened in the adoption of the legislation in the House of Representatives.' If the Clinton visit of 2000 was memorable, the Bush administration has taken the relationship on a 'much higher level' that, among other things, reflected a fundamental reorientation of American foreign policy, especially as it pertained to seeing India as an emerging regional and potentially a global power, Sen said. The focus of the Indian envoy's address to scholars, students and administrators was on the 'Emerging Strategic Partnership between India and the United States.' UK troops pull out of troubled Afghan dist; airstrike kills 16 KABUL British troops pulled out of a troubled district in southern Afghanistan, while a US-led coalition airstrike killed a suspected midlevel Taliban commander and up to 15 other militants, NATO said. The decision to withdraw the British troops from Helmand province's Musa Qala district follows an agreement with tribal elders and the provincial governor, said Mark Laity, a NATO spokesman in Kabul. President Hamid Karzai also supported the move, he said. The troops left 'because of the sustained period of calm,' Laity said, adding that Afghan security forces answerable to the Afghan government would now be in charge of security there. 'There has not been any contact with the Taliban and they are not involved in this.' Musa Qala has been one of the most volatile regions of Helmand, where about 4,000 British troops who deployed to the province in the spring have met with stiffer resistance than expected from resurgent Taliban militants. That resistance has eased a little in recent weeks, but the Taliban have kept up a steady stream of suicide attacks, as the heaviest fighting in Afghanistan since the Islamic militia's ouster from power five years ago rumbles on. Three 500-pound bombs, meanwhile, were dropped on a compound in the Khod Valley of southern Uruzgan province, in support of a NATO-led operation targeting a group of militants who had previously ambushed NATO and Afghan troops, an alliance statement said. The strike killed a suspected midlevel Taliban commander and up to 15 other suspected militants, the statement said. NATO did not name the suspected Taliban commander. Scientists find unusual meteorite in US KANSAS Scientists were excited when they pulled a 70-kilogram meteorite from deep below a wheat field in Kansas, but what got them most electrified was the way they unearthed it. The team yesterday uncovered the find four feet, or just over one metre, under a meteorite-strewn field using new ground-penetrating radar technology that someday might be used on Mars. It was that technology which pinpointed the site and proved for the first time that it could be used to find objects buried deep in the ground and to make an accurate three-dimensional image of them. 'It validates the technique so we can use something similar to that instrument when we go to Mars,' said Patricia Reiff, director of the Rice Space Institute. Such GPR systems had been used in the past to locate smaller meteorites in Antarctica where ice allows easier penetration of the sonar. But until the Kansas dig, the technology had not been successfully used for ground detection in heavy soils -- like on Mars -- to find meteorites or water there. The dig was likely the most documented excavation yet of a meteorite find, with researchers painstakingly using brushes and hand tools to preserve evidence of the impact trail and to date the event of the meteorite strike. Soil samples also were bagged and tagged and organic material preserved for dating purposes. The expedition was put together by the Houston Museum of Natural Science and led by meteorite hunters Steve Arnold and Philip Mani. China to 'seriously' implement UN sanctions on NKorea BEIJING Assuring that it would 'seriously' implement the UN sanctions on North Korea, China asked its close ally to adopt a 'responsible' attitude and refrain from escalating tensions as Pyongyang termed the Security Council resolution 'a declaration of war'. 'As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the Chinese side has always implemented the related UNSC Resolutions seriously and in a responsible matter. This time is no exception,' Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Liu Jianchao told reporters here. The remarks came as US increased its pressure on Beijing to join the rest of the world in making UN sanctions 'hurt' Pyongyang. 'On the one hand, we would act in accordance with our commercial regulations and domestic laws and on the other consider acting in accordance with the UNSC Resolution 1718,' he said when asked whether China has started implementing the sanctions on North Korea amid reports that Chinese customs officials were inspecting goods flowing into Pyongyang through the Dandong border trade route. Asked to comment on North Korea's rejection of the UNSC resolution and its latest warning that it will 'mercilessly strike' if its sovereignty is violated, Liu urged Pyomgang to take a responsible attitude and not aggravate the situation on the Korean Peninsula following its nuclear test on October 9. 'We think the UN Security Council Resolution 1718 has sent an important and clear message to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). We hope the DPRK side will seriously treat and respond to the important appeal from the international community. Denmark leads the way in banning killer fat COPEN HAGEN Two years ago, Denmark declared war on killer fat, making it illegal for any food to have more than two percent transfats. Offenders now face hefty fines -- or even prison terms. The result? Today, hardly anyone notices the difference. The french fries are still crispy. The pastries are still scrumptious. And the fried chicken is still tasty. Denmark's experience offers a hopeful example for places like Canada and New York City, which are considering setting limits on the dangerous artery-clogging fats. Transfatty acids are typically added to processed foods such as cookies, margarine and fast food. They are cheaper to produce than mono-saturated fats, and give a longer shelf life to the foods they are added to. Producers also argue that removing transfat from processed food will change certain tastes and textures beloved by consumers. But they have been called the tobacco of the nutrition world. They lower good cholesterol while raising bad cholesterol. Even consuming less than five grams of transfat -- the amount found in one piece of fried chicken and a side of french fries -- a day has been linked with a 25 percent increased risk of heart disease. 'No other fat at these low levels of intake, has such harmful effects,' said Dariush Mozaffarian, a cardiologist at Harvard's School of Public Health. It is still too early to tell if removing transfat from food in Denmark has improved the country's health. India showcases economic progress in Australian fair SYDNEY India's economic progress and cultural heritage went on display here as part of a famous annual fair of Sydney. India's participation in the 55th Australian National Field Days (ANFD), the country's longest-running agricultural exhibition, as a guest country marks its first presence in a regional event of Australia. During the three-day exhibition which began today, India is showcasing its agricultural, manufacturing, services and technological sectors. The participating companies include Mahindra & Mahindra, (Tractors and Automative Divisions), MRF Tyres, Nasscom, International Tractors, Modern Industries, Madhuri Enterprise, Agrotech Corporation, DJ Impex, Arcom Impex and Investment and R P Incorporated. Indian classical and Bollywood dances and a fashion parade of traditional Indian constumes are also part of the exhibition. Other Indian cultural organisations taking part in the event are Brahma Kumaris and Yoga in Daily Life, which will conduct meditation and yoga demonstrations for visitors. The Indian participation, in the form of 'India Event', is being organised by the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO). India's participation, in the light of its rapid economic progress, has been ensured as part of a 'regional thrust' initiative of Consulate General. India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) is a partner organiser. Indian participation is expected to enhance engagement with Australia, particularly at regional level. 13 killed in north China coal mine blaze BEIJING At least 13 miners were killed and 22 others injured when a fire razed through a coal mine in north China's Hebei Province, local officials confirmed The blaze started around noon yesterday when 63 miners were working underground in the Longxin Coal Mine in Hecun Township of Handan City. Doctors believe the dead were suffocated or poisoned by gas. The 22 injured miners were receiving medical treatment, with one person in a critical condition, Xinhua news agency reported. The blazed is believed to have started with an electrical fire, but investigations are continuing. The Longxin Coal Mine is collectively owned and most of the miners are locals. China is the world's largest coal producer and consumer. However, Chinese coal mines are considered the deadliest due to high rates of accidents. On an average, 12 miners die every day in Chinese coal mines. China to help 148,000 villages out of poverty in five years BEIJING China plans to lift 148,000 villages out of poverty over the next five years as part of the government's efforts to establish a harmonious and well-off society, a senior official said . Addressing the Poverty Reduction Seminar for Developing Countries at Ministerial Level, director of the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development efforts, Liu Jian said the Chinese government will strengthen infrastructure and social services -- and increase villager income -- in the nation's poorest villages, where 80 per cent of the poor population live. According to statistics, 2.365 million people in China still don't have enough food and clothing. And 4.067 million people do not have regular supplies of food and clothing. The Chinese government will also train labourers in poor areas and promote non-farming employment, Liu said. The government will encourage flagship enterprises to promote reform of agricultural structures in poor areas and increase farmers' income, he said. And 260 poverty reduction flagship enterprises identified by the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development will help 12 million poor people. He stressed the Chinese government will continue to make poverty reduction a priority, develop policies for needy people, call on society as a whole to contribute to poverty reduction and promote balanced development of impoverished areas between natural and human resources. Sri Lanka keeps up air attacks as Norway moves to save truce COLOMBO Sri Lankan jets attacked Tamil Tiger areas after the rebels killed over 100 navy personnel in a suicide attack, even as a Norwegian envoy arrived here to arrange talks between the two parties amid mounting fears that the country was headed for full-scale war. The Defence Ministry said that air force jets pounded a Tiger base in Puthukuddierippu yesterday. However, the pro-rebel Tamilnet.Com said two children were killed and 15 others wounded when four jets struck a civilian settlement and destroyed nine homes yesterday. There were no details of today's air attacks. The bombing took place as Norway's peace envoy Jon Hanssen-Bauer arrived to try and save the collapsing ceasefire and arrange talks between the two parties later this month. The government of President Mahinda Rajapakse said it was commited to peace talks despite yesterday's devastating bombing. Yesterday's suicide bombing came as Japan's special peace envoy Yasushi Akashi was holding talks with President Rajapakse on reviving efforts to end the ethnic violence, which has claimed the lives of 60,000 people since 1972. Akashi is due to hold separate talks with the Tigers in the rebel-held town of Kilinochchi . China to 'seriously' implement UN sanctions on NKorea BEIJING Assuring that it would 'seriously' implement the UN sanctions on North Korea, China asked its close ally to adopt a 'responsible' attitude and refrain from escalating tensions as Pyongyang termed the Security Council resolution 'a declaration of war'. 'As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the Chinese side has always implemented the related UNSC Resolutions seriously and in a responsible matter. This time is no exception,' Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Liu Jianchao told reporters here. The remarks came as US increased its pressure on Beijing to join the rest of the world in making UN sanctions 'hurt' Pyongyang. 'On the one hand, we would act in accordance with our commercial regulations and domestic laws and on the other consider acting in accordance with the UNSC Resolution 1718,' he said when asked whether China has started implementing the sanctions on North Korea amid reports that Chinese customs officials were inspecting goods flowing into Pyongyang through the Dandong border trade route. Asked to comment on North Korea's rejection of the UNSC resolution and its latest warning that it will 'mercilessly strike' if its sovereignty is violated, Liu urged Pyomgang to take a responsible attitude and not aggravate the situation on the Korean Peninsula following its nuclear test on October 9. 'We think the UN Security Council Resolution 1718 has sent an important and clear message to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). We hope the DPRK side will seriously treat and respond to the important appeal from the international community. Back channel talks on to resolve Kashmir issue Kasuri ISLAMABAD India and Pakistan are discussing through back channel 'something different' to resolve the Kashmir issue besides their formal standpoints on the dispute, Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri has said. Back channel talks aimed at hammering out a solution to the Kashmir issue that is acceptable to all parties are taking place, he told the media during an Iftar dinner here last night. He was asked about the chances of the settlement of the Kashmir issue in the light of India's stand that borders cannot be changed and Pakistan's stand that LoC is not acceptable. 'Besides formal standpoints of the two countries on Kashmir, something different is being discussed by other sources,' he said in a reference to 'back-channel contacts between former diplomats and other experts from India and Pakistan, but gave no details, Dawn reported today. Kasuri said relations between the two countries have been improving and there has been progress on the Kashmir specific confidence building measures both at diplomatic and other channels. 'There were Indian troops on Pakistan's border in the past but now the situation has changed and both countries are talking to each other on all issues including the core issue of Kashmir,' he was quoted as saying by state-run APP news agency. Travel access initiated by the two countries, travel across the LoC without passport, meeting of Hurriyat leaders with Indian leadership and the visit of APHC leaders to Pakistan are some of the achievements in Pak-India relations which were not at this stage due to stand off Indian forces, he pointed out. UN calls for more investment in agriculture UNITED NATIONS The United Nations urged countries to invest more in agricultural to feed the 850 million cronically malnourished people across the globe, saying in a world which has the means to feed everybody, this continued suffering is 'inconscionable.' In a message to mark World Food Day, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan in a statement said that many countries, including those most in need, have not allocated sufficient resources to farming and rural development. 'There is a need to reverse this trend, and to channel increased public and private resources towards agricultural activities. Such investment must reach beyond infrastructure and irrigation systems to fund broader human development goals, especially the education of rural women and girls who constitute the backbone of most agrarian economies.' The day's theme this year is 'Investing in agriculture for food security', he said. Calling on the affluent to do more for the poor, UN World Food Programme Executive Director James Morris said 'There's nothing wrong with wanting the best for your own children. But next time you upgrade your child's laptop or book those extra tuition sessions, spare a thought for the millions of children whose fingers will never touch a keyboard. They will be lucky if they even learn to read and write or do basic arithmetic. 'We can make a difference. There is more than enough food in the world,' he said. UNICEF says lack of nutrition remains a major killer of children under five, contributing to approximately 50 per cent of the more than 10 million child deaths every year. Pak court orders release of LeT founder ISLAMABAD A Pakistani court ordered the release of Lashkar-e-Toiba founder Hafeez Muhammad Saeed, ignorng the government's argument that his 'increasing activities' could hurt relations with 'neighbouring' countries. In his order, Lahore High Court Judge Justice Akhter Shabbir asked the government to immediately release Saeed, who was detained on August 28, saying his detention was against the constitution and law. According to Saeed's Attorney Nazeer Ahmad Ghazi, the judge held the arrest order and the reasons given by the government as 'unlawful' and ordered his immediate release. A detailed judgement was expected later. The arrest of the head of the self-proclaimed NGO Jamat-ud-Dawa was challenged by his wife Mehmoona Saeed. Even though the government has not given any reasons for the detention of Saeed, it told the Lahore High Court yesterday that one of the reasons for his detention was that his 'increased activities' could hurt relations with neighbouring countries. Early nod to Indo-US nuke deal will help both nations Sen WASHINGTON The sooner the Indo-US civilian nuclear agreement is in place the better as the deal has acquired a 'symbolic significance' and is a manifestation of a new relationship based on 'trust' and 'mutual benefit', Indian Ambassador to the US Ronen Sen has said. 'I hope that when--I am not saying if-- this agreement, which was reached between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Bush in July last year, is enacted into legislation it will be on the conviction that it is as beneficial for the United States as it is for India,' he said at The India Forum of the School of International Service at American University here yesterday. 'I don't want to push this beyond a point, but sooner it is done the better,' Sen said, adding the civilian nuclear agreement had acquired a certain 'symbolic significance' and that the agreement itself 'is a manifestation of a new relationship which is based on trust' and which is 'firmly set on an upward trajectory'. Speaking during an interactive session, Sen said '...The legislation when it is adopted it will be on the basis of broad bipartisan support as it has happened in the adoption of the legislation in the House of Representatives.' If the Clinton visit of 2000 was memorable, the Bush administration has taken the relationship on a 'much higher level' that, among other things, reflected a fundamental reorientation of American foreign policy, especially as it pertained to seeing India as an emerging regional and potentially a global power, Sen said. The focus of the Indian envoy's address to scholars, students and administrators was on the 'Emerging Strategic Partnership between India and the United States.' UK troops pull out of troubled Afghan dist; airstrike kills 16 KABUL British troops pulled out of a troubled district in southern Afghanistan, while a US-led coalition airstrike killed a suspected midlevel Taliban commander and up to 15 other militants, NATO said. The decision to withdraw the British troops from Helmand province's Musa Qala district follows an agreement with tribal elders and the provincial governor, said Mark Laity, a NATO spokesman in Kabul. President Hamid Karzai also supported the move, he said. The troops left 'because of the sustained period of calm,' Laity said, adding that Afghan security forces answerable to the Afghan government would now be in charge of security there. 'There has not been any contact with the Taliban and they are not involved in this.' Musa Qala has been one of the most volatile regions of Helmand, where about 4,000 British troops who deployed to the province in the spring have met with stiffer resistance than expected from resurgent Taliban militants. That resistance has eased a little in recent weeks, but the Taliban have kept up a steady stream of suicide attacks, as the heaviest fighting in Afghanistan since the Islamic militia's ouster from power five years ago rumbles on. Three 500-pound bombs, meanwhile, were dropped on a compound in the Khod Valley of southern Uruzgan province, in support of a NATO-led operation targeting a group of militants who had previously ambushed NATO and Afghan troops, an alliance statement said. The strike killed a suspected midlevel Taliban commander and up to 15 other suspected militants, the statement said. NATO did not name the suspected Taliban commander. Scientists find unusual meteorite in US KANSAS Scientists were excited when they pulled a 70-kilogram meteorite from deep below a wheat field in Kansas, but what got them most electrified was the way they unearthed it. The team yesterday uncovered the find four feet, or just over one metre, under a meteorite-strewn field using new ground-penetrating radar technology that someday might be used on Mars. It was that technology which pinpointed the site and proved for the first time that it could be used to find objects buried deep in the ground and to make an accurate three-dimensional image of them. 'It validates the technique so we can use something similar to that instrument when we go to Mars,' said Patricia Reiff, director of the Rice Space Institute. Such GPR systems had been used in the past to locate smaller meteorites in Antarctica where ice allows easier penetration of the sonar. But until the Kansas dig, the technology had not been successfully used for ground detection in heavy soils -- like on Mars -- to find meteorites or water there. The dig was likely the most documented excavation yet of a meteorite find, with researchers painstakingly using brushes and hand tools to preserve evidence of the impact trail and to date the event of the meteorite strike. Soil samples also were bagged and tagged and organic material preserved for dating purposes. The expedition was put together by the Houston Museum of Natural Science and led by meteorite hunters Steve Arnold and Philip Mani. China to 'seriously' implement UN sanctions on NKorea BEIJING Assuring that it would 'seriously' implement the UN sanctions on North Korea, China asked its close ally to adopt a 'responsible' attitude and refrain from escalating tensions as Pyongyang termed the Security Council resolution 'a declaration of war'. 'As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the Chinese side has always implemented the related UNSC Resolutions seriously and in a responsible matter. This time is no exception,' Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Liu Jianchao told reporters here. The remarks came as US increased its pressure on Beijing to join the rest of the world in making UN sanctions 'hurt' Pyongyang. 'On the one hand, we would act in accordance with our commercial regulations and domestic laws and on the other consider acting in accordance with the UNSC Resolution 1718,' he said when asked whether China has started implementing the sanctions on North Korea amid reports that Chinese customs officials were inspecting goods flowing into Pyongyang through the Dandong border trade route. Asked to comment on North Korea's rejection of the UNSC resolution and its latest warning that it will 'mercilessly strike' if its sovereignty is violated, Liu urged Pyomgang to take a responsible attitude and not aggravate the situation on the Korean Peninsula following its nuclear test on October 9. 'We think the UN Security Council Resolution 1718 has sent an important and clear message to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). We hope the DPRK side will seriously treat and respond to the important appeal from the international community. Denmark leads the way in banning killer fat COPEN HAGEN Two years ago, Denmark declared war on killer fat, making it illegal for any food to have more than two percent transfats. Offenders now face hefty fines -- or even prison terms. The result? Today, hardly anyone notices the difference. The french fries are still crispy. The pastries are still scrumptious. And the fried chicken is still tasty. Denmark's experience offers a hopeful example for places like Canada and New York City, which are considering setting limits on the dangerous artery-clogging fats. Transfatty acids are typically added to processed foods such as cookies, margarine and fast food. They are cheaper to produce than mono-saturated fats, and give a longer shelf life to the foods they are added to. Producers also argue that removing transfat from processed food will change certain tastes and textures beloved by consumers. But they have been called the tobacco of the nutrition world. They lower good cholesterol while raising bad cholesterol. Even consuming less than five grams of transfat -- the amount found in one piece of fried chicken and a side of french fries -- a day has been linked with a 25 percent increased risk of heart disease. 'No other fat at these low levels of intake, has such harmful effects,' said Dariush Mozaffarian, a cardiologist at Harvard's School of Public Health. It is still too early to tell if removing transfat from food in Denmark has improved the country's health. India showcases economic progress in Australian fair SYDNEY India's economic progress and cultural heritage went on display here as part of a famous annual fair of Sydney. India's participation in the 55th Australian National Field Days (ANFD), the country's longest-running agricultural exhibition, as a guest country marks its first presence in a regional event of Australia. During the three-day exhibition which began today, India is showcasing its agricultural, manufacturing, services and technological sectors. The participating companies include Mahindra & Mahindra, (Tractors and Automative Divisions), MRF Tyres, Nasscom, International Tractors, Modern Industries, Madhuri Enterprise, Agrotech Corporation, DJ Impex, Arcom Impex and Investment and R P Incorporated. Indian classical and Bollywood dances and a fashion parade of traditional Indian constumes are also part of the exhibition. Other Indian cultural organisations taking part in the event are Brahma Kumaris and Yoga in Daily Life, which will conduct meditation and yoga demonstrations for visitors. The Indian participation, in the form of 'India Event', is being organised by the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO). India's participation, in the light of its rapid economic progress, has been ensured as part of a 'regional thrust' initiative of Consulate General. India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) is a partner organiser. Indian participation is expected to enhance engagement with Australia, particularly at regional level. 13 killed in north China coal mine blaze BEIJING At least 13 miners were killed and 22 others injured when a fire razed through a coal mine in north China's Hebei Province, local officials confirmed The blaze started around noon yesterday when 63 miners were working underground in the Longxin Coal Mine in Hecun Township of Handan City. Doctors believe the dead were suffocated or poisoned by gas. The 22 injured miners were receiving medical treatment, with one person in a critical condition, Xinhua news agency reported. The blazed is believed to have started with an electrical fire, but investigations are continuing. The Longxin Coal Mine is collectively owned and most of the miners are locals. China is the world's largest coal producer and consumer. However, Chinese coal mines are considered the deadliest due to high rates of accidents. On an average, 12 miners die every day in Chinese coal mines. China to help 148,000 villages out of poverty in five years BEIJING China plans to lift 148,000 villages out of poverty over the next five years as part of the government's efforts to establish a harmonious and well-off society, a senior official said . Addressing the Poverty Reduction Seminar for Developing Countries at Ministerial Level, director of the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development efforts, Liu Jian said the Chinese government will strengthen infrastructure and social services -- and increase villager income -- in the nation's poorest villages, where 80 per cent of the poor population live. According to statistics, 2.365 million people in China still don't have enough food and clothing. And 4.067 million people do not have regular supplies of food and clothing. The Chinese government will also train labourers in poor areas and promote non-farming employment, Liu said. The government will encourage flagship enterprises to promote reform of agricultural structures in poor areas and increase farmers' income, he said. And 260 poverty reduction flagship enterprises identified by the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development will help 12 million poor people. He stressed the Chinese government will continue to make poverty reduction a priority, develop policies for needy people, call on society as a whole to contribute to poverty reduction and promote balanced development of impoverished areas between natural and human resources. Sri Lanka keeps up air attacks as Norway moves to save truce COLOMBO Sri Lankan jets attacked Tamil Tiger areas after the rebels killed over 100 navy personnel in a suicide attack, even as a Norwegian envoy arrived here to arrange talks between the two parties amid mounting fears that the country was headed for full-scale war. The Defence Ministry said that air force jets pounded a Tiger base in Puthukuddierippu yesterday. However, the pro-rebel Tamilnet.Com said two children were killed and 15 others wounded when four jets struck a civilian settlement and destroyed nine homes yesterday. There were no details of today's air attacks. The bombing took place as Norway's peace envoy Jon Hanssen-Bauer arrived to try and save the collapsing ceasefire and arrange talks between the two parties later this month. The government of President Mahinda Rajapakse said it was commited to peace talks despite yesterday's devastating bombing. Yesterday's suicide bombing came as Japan's special peace envoy Yasushi Akashi was holding talks with President Rajapakse on reviving efforts to end the ethnic violence, which has claimed the lives of 60,000 people since 1972. Akashi is due to hold separate talks with the Tigers in the rebel-held town of Kilinochchi . China to 'seriously' implement UN sanctions on NKorea BEIJING Assuring that it would 'seriously' implement the UN sanctions on North Korea, China asked its close ally to adopt a 'responsible' attitude and refrain from escalating tensions as Pyongyang termed the Security Council resolution 'a declaration of war'. 'As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the Chinese side has always implemented the related UNSC Resolutions seriously and in a responsible matter. This time is no exception,' Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Liu Jianchao told reporters here. The remarks came as US increased its pressure on Beijing to join the rest of the world in making UN sanctions 'hurt' Pyongyang. 'On the one hand, we would act in accordance with our commercial regulations and domestic laws and on the other consider acting in accordance with the UNSC Resolution 1718,' he said when asked whether China has started implementing the sanctions on North Korea amid reports that Chinese customs officials were inspecting goods flowing into Pyongyang through the Dandong border trade route. Asked to comment on North Korea's rejection of the UNSC resolution and its latest warning that it will 'mercilessly strike' if its sovereignty is violated, Liu urged Pyomgang to take a responsible attitude and not aggravate the situation on the Korean Peninsula following its nuclear test on October 9. 'We think the UN Security Council Resolution 1718 has sent an important and clear message to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). We hope the DPRK side will seriously treat and respond to the important appeal from the international community. Back channel talks on to resolve Kashmir issue Kasuri ISLAMABAD India and Pakistan are discussing through back channel 'something different' to resolve the Kashmir issue besides their formal standpoints on the dispute, Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri has said. Back channel talks aimed at hammering out a solution to the Kashmir issue that is acceptable to all parties are taking place, he told the media during an Iftar dinner here last night. He was asked about the chances of the settlement of the Kashmir issue in the light of India's stand that borders cannot be changed and Pakistan's stand that LoC is not acceptable. 'Besides formal standpoints of the two countries on Kashmir, something different is being discussed by other sources,' he said in a reference to 'back-channel contacts between former diplomats and other experts from India and Pakistan, but gave no details, Dawn reported today. Kasuri said relations between the two countries have been improving and there has been progress on the Kashmir specific confidence building measures both at diplomatic and other channels. 'There were Indian troops on Pakistan's border in the past but now the situation has changed and both countries are talking to each other on all issues including the core issue of Kashmir,' he was quoted as saying by state-run APP news agency. Travel access initiated by the two countries, travel across the LoC without passport, meeting of Hurriyat leaders with Indian leadership and the visit of APHC leaders to Pakistan are some of the achievements in Pak-India relations which were not at this stage due to stand off Indian forces, he pointed out. UN calls for more investment in agriculture UNITED NATIONS The United Nations urged countries to invest more in agricultural to feed the 850 million cronically malnourished people across the globe, saying in a world which has the means to feed everybody, this continued suffering is 'inconscionable.' In a message to mark World Food Day, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan in a statement said that many countries, including those most in need, have not allocated sufficient resources to farming and rural development. 'There is a need to reverse this trend, and to channel increased public and private resources towards agricultural activities. Such investment must reach beyond infrastructure and irrigation systems to fund broader human development goals, especially the education of rural women and girls who constitute the backbone of most agrarian economies.' The day's theme this year is 'Investing in agriculture for food security', he said. Calling on the affluent to do more for the poor, UN World Food Programme Executive Director James Morris said 'There's nothing wrong with wanting the best for your own children. But next time you upgrade your child's laptop or book those extra tuition sessions, spare a thought for the millions of children whose fingers will never touch a keyboard. They will be lucky if they even learn to read and write or do basic arithmetic. 'We can make a difference. There is more than enough food in the world,' he said. UNICEF says lack of nutrition remains a major killer of children under five, contributing to approximately 50 per cent of the more than 10 million child deaths every year. Pak court orders release of LeT founder ISLAMABAD A Pakistani court ordered the release of Lashkar-e-Toiba founder Hafeez Muhammad Saeed, ignorng the government's argument that his 'increasing activities' could hurt relations with 'neighbouring' countries. In his order, Lahore High Court Judge Justice Akhter Shabbir asked the government to immediately release Saeed, who was detained on August 28, saying his detention was against the constitution and law. According to Saeed's Attorney Nazeer Ahmad Ghazi, the judge held the arrest order and the reasons given by the government as 'unlawful' and ordered his immediate release. A detailed judgement was expected later. The arrest of the head of the self-proclaimed NGO Jamat-ud-Dawa was challenged by his wife Mehmoona Saeed. Even though the government has not given any reasons for the detention of Saeed, it told the Lahore High Court yesterday that one of the reasons for his detention was that his 'increased activities' could hurt relations with neighbouring countries. Early nod to Indo-US nuke deal will help both nations Sen WASHINGTON The sooner the Indo-US civilian nuclear agreement is in place the better as the deal has acquired a 'symbolic significance' and is a manifestation of a new relationship based on 'trust' and 'mutual benefit', Indian Ambassador to the US Ronen Sen has said. 'I hope that when--I am not saying if-- this agreement, which was reached between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Bush in July last year, is enacted into legislation it will be on the conviction that it is as beneficial for the United States as it is for India,' he said at The India Forum of the School of International Service at American University here yesterday. 'I don't want to push this beyond a point, but sooner it is done the better,' Sen said, adding the civilian nuclear agreement had acquired a certain 'symbolic significance' and that the agreement itself 'is a manifestation of a new relationship which is based on trust' and which is 'firmly set on an upward trajectory'. Speaking during an interactive session, Sen said '...The legislation when it is adopted it will be on the basis of broad bipartisan support as it has happened in the adoption of the legislation in the House of Representatives.' If the Clinton visit of 2000 was memorable, the Bush administration has taken the relationship on a 'much higher level' that, among other things, reflected a fundamental reorientation of American foreign policy, especially as it pertained to seeing India as an emerging regional and potentially a global power, Sen said. The focus of the Indian envoy's address to scholars, students and administrators was on the 'Emerging Strategic Partnership between India and the United States.' UK troops pull out of troubled Afghan dist; airstrike kills 16 KABUL British troops pulled out of a troubled district in southern Afghanistan, while a US-led coalition airstrike killed a suspected midlevel Taliban commander and up to 15 other militants, NATO said. The decision to withdraw the British troops from Helmand province's Musa Qala district follows an agreement with tribal elders and the provincial governor, said Mark Laity, a NATO spokesman in Kabul. President Hamid Karzai also supported the move, he said. The troops left 'because of the sustained period of calm,' Laity said, adding that Afghan security forces answerable to the Afghan government would now be in charge of security there. 'There has not been any contact with the Taliban and they are not involved in this.' Musa Qala has been one of the most volatile regions of Helmand, where about 4,000 British troops who deployed to the province in the spring have met with stiffer resistance than expected from resurgent Taliban militants. That resistance has eased a little in recent weeks, but the Taliban have kept up a steady stream of suicide attacks, as the heaviest fighting in Afghanistan since the Islamic militia's ouster from power five years ago rumbles on. Three 500-pound bombs, meanwhile, were dropped on a compound in the Khod Valley of southern Uruzgan province, in support of a NATO-led operation targeting a group of militants who had previously ambushed NATO and Afghan troops, an alliance statement said. The strike killed a suspected midlevel Taliban commander and up to 15 other suspected militants, the statement said. NATO did not name the suspected Taliban commander. Scientists find unusual meteorite in US KANSAS Scientists were excited when they pulled a 70-kilogram meteorite from deep below a wheat field in Kansas, but what got them most electrified was the way they unearthed it. The team yesterday uncovered the find four feet, or just over one metre, under a meteorite-strewn field using new ground-penetrating radar technology that someday might be used on Mars. It was that technology which pinpointed the site and proved for the first time that it could be used to find objects buried deep in the ground and to make an accurate three-dimensional image of them. 'It validates the technique so we can use something similar to that instrument when we go to Mars,' said Patricia Reiff, director of the Rice Space Institute. Such GPR systems had been used in the past to locate smaller meteorites in Antarctica where ice allows easier penetration of the sonar. But until the Kansas dig, the technology had not been successfully used for ground detection in heavy soils -- like on Mars -- to find meteorites or water there. The dig was likely the most documented excavation yet of a meteorite find, with researchers painstakingly using brushes and hand tools to preserve evidence of the impact trail and to date the event of the meteorite strike. Soil samples also were bagged and tagged and organic material preserved for dating purposes. The expedition was put together by the Houston Museum of Natural Science and led by meteorite hunters Steve Arnold and Philip Mani. China to 'seriously' implement UN sanctions on NKorea BEIJING Assuring that it would 'seriously' implement the UN sanctions on North Korea, China asked its close ally to adopt a 'responsible' attitude and refrain from escalating tensions as Pyongyang termed the Security Council resolution 'a declaration of war'. 'As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the Chinese side has always implemented the related UNSC Resolutions seriously and in a responsible matter. This time is no exception,' Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Liu Jianchao told reporters here. The remarks came as US increased its pressure on Beijing to join the rest of the world in making UN sanctions 'hurt' Pyongyang. 'On the one hand, we would act in accordance with our commercial regulations and domestic laws and on the other consider acting in accordance with the UNSC Resolution 1718,' he said when asked whether China has started implementing the sanctions on North Korea amid reports that Chinese customs officials were inspecting goods flowing into Pyongyang through the Dandong border trade route. Asked to comment on North Korea's rejection of the UNSC resolution and its latest warning that it will 'mercilessly strike' if its sovereignty is violated, Liu urged Pyomgang to take a responsible attitude and not aggravate the situation on the Korean Peninsula following its nuclear test on October 9. 'We think the UN Security Council Resolution 1718 has sent an important and clear message to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). We hope the DPRK side will seriously treat and respond to the important appeal from the international community. Denmark leads the way in banning killer fat COPEN HAGEN Two years ago, Denmark declared war on killer fat, making it illegal for any food to have more than two percent transfats. Offenders now face hefty fines -- or even prison terms. The result? Today, hardly anyone notices the difference. The french fries are still crispy. The pastries are still scrumptious. And the fried chicken is still tasty. Denmark's experience offers a hopeful example for places like Canada and New York City, which are considering setting limits on the dangerous artery-clogging fats. Transfatty acids are typically added to processed foods such as cookies, margarine and fast food. They are cheaper to produce than mono-saturated fats, and give a longer shelf life to the foods they are added to. Producers also argue that removing transfat from processed food will change certain tastes and textures beloved by consumers. But they have been called the tobacco of the nutrition world. They lower good cholesterol while raising bad cholesterol. Even consuming less than five grams of transfat -- the amount found in one piece of fried chicken and a side of french fries -- a day has been linked with a 25 percent increased risk of heart disease. 'No other fat at these low levels of intake, has such harmful effects,' said Dariush Mozaffarian, a cardiologist at Harvard's School of Public Health. It is still too early to tell if removing transfat from food in Denmark has improved the country's health. India showcases economic progress in Australian fair SYDNEY India's economic progress and cultural heritage went on display here as part of a famous annual fair of Sydney. India's participation in the 55th Australian National Field Days (ANFD), the country's longest-running agricultural exhibition, as a guest country marks its first presence in a regional event of Australia. During the three-day exhibition which began today, India is showcasing its agricultural, manufacturing, services and technological sectors. The participating companies include Mahindra & Mahindra, (Tractors and Automative Divisions), MRF Tyres, Nasscom, International Tractors, Modern Industries, Madhuri Enterprise, Agrotech Corporation, DJ Impex, Arcom Impex and Investment and R P Incorporated. Indian classical and Bollywood dances and a fashion parade of traditional Indian constumes are also part of the exhibition. Other Indian cultural organisations taking part in the event are Brahma Kumaris and Yoga in Daily Life, which will conduct meditation and yoga demonstrations for visitors. The Indian participation, in the form of 'India Event', is being organised by the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO). India's participation, in the light of its rapid economic progress, has been ensured as part of a 'regional thrust' initiative of Consulate General. India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) is a partner organiser. Indian participation is expected to enhance engagement with Australia, particularly at regional level. 13 killed in north China coal mine blaze BEIJING At least 13 miners were killed and 22 others injured when a fire razed through a coal mine in north China's Hebei Province, local officials confirmed The blaze started around noon yesterday when 63 miners were working underground in the Longxin Coal Mine in Hecun Township of Handan City. Doctors believe the dead were suffocated or poisoned by gas. The 22 injured miners were receiving medical treatment, with one person in a critical condition, Xinhua news agency reported. The blazed is believed to have started with an electrical fire, but investigations are continuing. The Longxin Coal Mine is collectively owned and most of the miners are locals. China is the world's largest coal producer and consumer. However, Chinese coal mines are considered the deadliest due to high rates of accidents. On an average, 12 miners die every day in Chinese coal mines. China to help 148,000 villages out of poverty in five years BEIJING China plans to lift 148,000 villages out of poverty over the next five years as part of the government's efforts to establish a harmonious and well-off society, a senior official said . Addressing the Poverty Reduction Seminar for Developing Countries at Ministerial Level, director of the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development efforts, Liu Jian said the Chinese government will strengthen infrastructure and social services -- and increase villager income -- in the nation's poorest villages, where 80 per cent of the poor population live. According to statistics, 2.365 million people in China still don't have enough food and clothing. And 4.067 million people do not have regular supplies of food and clothing. The Chinese government will also train labourers in poor areas and promote non-farming employment, Liu said. The government will encourage flagship enterprises to promote reform of agricultural structures in poor areas and increase farmers' income, he said. And 260 poverty reduction flagship enterprises identified by the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development will help 12 million poor people. He stressed the Chinese government will continue to make poverty reduction a priority, develop policies for needy people, call on society as a whole to contribute to poverty reduction and promote balanced development of impoverished areas between natural and human resources. Sri Lanka keeps up air attacks as Norway moves to save truce COLOMBO Sri Lankan jets attacked Tamil Tiger areas after the rebels killed over 100 navy personnel in a suicide attack, even as a Norwegian envoy arrived here to arrange talks between the two parties amid mounting fears that the country was headed for full-scale war. The Defence Ministry said that air force jets pounded a Tiger base in Puthukuddierippu yesterday. However, the pro-rebel Tamilnet.Com said two children were killed and 15 others wounded when four jets struck a civilian settlement and destroyed nine homes yesterday. There were no details of today's air attacks. The bombing took place as Norway's peace envoy Jon Hanssen-Bauer arrived to try and save the collapsing ceasefire and arrange talks between the two parties later this month. The government of President Mahinda Rajapakse said it was commited to peace talks despite yesterday's devastating bombing. Yesterday's suicide bombing came as Japan's special peace envoy Yasushi Akashi was holding talks with President Rajapakse on reviving efforts to end the ethnic violence, which has claimed the lives of 60,000 people since 1972. Akashi is due to hold separate talks with the Tigers in the rebel-held town of Kilinochchi . Taste Time Thai style chicken salad Other news The vanishing thin French woman Sunday speak Marad-Kerala's Chikungunyan

Early nod to Indo-US nuke deal will help both nations Sen. 10/17/2006 Press Trust of India - United Nations Bureau	Return to Top
a symbolic significance and is a manifestation of a new relationship based on trust and mutual benefit, Indian Ambassador to the US Ronen Sen has said. I hope that when--I am not saying if-- this agreement, which was reached between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Bush in July last year, is enacted into legislation it will be on the conviction that it is as beneficial for the United States as it is for India, he said at The India Forum of the School of International Service at American University here yesterday. I don't want to push this beyond a point, but sooner it is done the better, Sen said, adding the civilian nuclear agreement had acquired a certain symbolic significance and that the agreement itself is a manifestation of a new relationship which is based on trust and which is firmly set on an upward trajectory. Speaking during an interactive session, Sen said ...The legislation when it is adopted it will be on the basis of broad bipartisan

Early nod to Indo-US nuke deal will help both nations Sen 10/17/2006 ZeeNews.com	Return to Top
Early nod to Indo-US nuke deal will help both nations Sen Washington, Oct 17 The sooner the Indo-US civilian nuclear agreement is in place the better as the deal has acquired a symbolic significance and is a manifestation of a new relationship based on trust and mutual benefit, Indian Ambassador to the US Ronen Sen has said. I hope that when--I am not saying if-- this agreement, which was reached between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Bush in July last year, is enacted into legislation it will be on the conviction that it is as beneficial for the United States as it is for India, he said at the India forum of the school of International Service at American University here yesterday. I don't want to push this beyond a point, but sooner it is done the better, Sen said, adding the civilian nuclear agreement had acquired a certain symbolic significance and that the agreement itself is a manifestation of a new relationship which is based on trust and which is firmly set on an upward trajectory. Speaking during an interactive session, Sen said ...The legislation when it is adopted it will be on the basis of broad bipartisan support as it has happened in the adoption of the legislation in the house of representatives. If the Clinton visit of 2000 was memorable, the Bush administration has taken the relationship on a much higher level that, among other things, reflected a fundamental reorientation of American Foreign Policy, especially as it pertained to seeing India as an emerging regional and potentially a global power, Sen said. The focus of the Indian envoy's address to scholars, students and administrators was on the 'emerging strategic partnership between India and the United States.' Bureau Report Other Stories Ad Links HOT LINKS Copyright Zee News Limited. All rights reserved.

Early nod to Indo-US N-deal will help both nations 10/17/2006 NewIndPress	Return to Top
WASHINGTON The sooner the Indo-US civilian nuclear agreement is in place the better as the deal has acquired a 'symbolic significance' and is a manifestation of a new relationship based on 'trust' and 'mutual benefit', Indian Ambassador to the US Ronen Sen has said.'I hope that when--I am not saying if-- this agreement, which was reached between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Bush in July last year, is enacted into legislation it will be on the conviction that it is as beneficial for the United States as it is for India,' he said at the India Forum of the School of International Service at American University here on Monday.'I don't want to push this beyond a point, but sooner it is done the better,' Sen said, adding the civilian nuclear agreement had acquired a certain 'symbolic significance' and that the agreement itself 'is a manifestation of a new relationship which is based on trust' and which is 'firmly set on an upward trajectory'.Speaking during an interactive session, Sen said, '...The legislation when it is adopted it will be on the basis of broad bipartisan support as it has happened in the adoption of the legislation in the House of Representatives.'If the Clinton visit of 2000 was memorable, the Bush administration has taken the relationship on a 'much higher level' that, among other things, reflected a fundamental reorientation of American foreign policy, especially as it pertained to seeing India as an emerging regional and potentially a global power, Sen said. The focus of the Indian envoy's address to scholars, students and administrators was on the 'Emerging strategic partnership between India and the United States.' The relationship is based on 'mutual benefit', for India and the United States and in a belief that this is good for the world, the Indian envoy said.'The relationship has been taken to new and unprecedented heights and our relationship in every way is firmly set on an upward trajectory,' Sen remarked, adding, 'The higher we reach, the broader the horizon'.Earlier, Sen prefaced his comments on the civilian nuclear deal saying, 'It is not appropriate for me as a foreign envoy to comment on a domestic political process' and went on to make the point that deal was beneficial to both countries. Sen pegged not only the importance of understanding where India came from- its civilisational past and cultural heritage- but also to place the emerging bilateral relationship in the framework of regional and global geo-political challenges and realities. In his formal address, Sen sought to counter the argument traditionally put forward that bilateral relations were 'frosty' during the Cold War years and that the real potential developed only after the end of the Cold War. The Indian ambassador sought to draw upon any number of instances of the US and India going about in a normal fashion including the support given by President Roosevelt for the Indian independence movement. He mentioned the influence of the American constitution on India's constitutional history, US' role in developing Indian institutes of excellence, the role of 'outstanding people' at the time of the green revolution and the support given by President Kennedy during the 1962 showdown with China. Sen also pointed out the close relationship between President Ronald Reagan and Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and stressed the fact that the first agreements on science and technology and defence that included the engines for the LCA and the super computer to India were all done in this time period.'All of these were during the Cold War years,' Sen remarked going on to make the point that the bilateral relationship entered a period of 'benign neglect' at the end of the Cold War and until the second term of the Presidency of Bill Clinton. During the interactive session Sen answered on a variety of issues including liberalisation and the pace of reforms. To a question on why the FDI limit in the insurance sector could not be pushed to 74 per cent Sen argued that India proceeds 'with due deliberation, but we never reverse our decision' and that generally in the reform process 'we have to evolve political consensus'.On the crisis in Sri Lanka, the top Indian diplomat maintained that New Delhi is following the developments very carefully and that India is for a just solution by the people of Sri Lanka that would take into account the legitimate interests of the Tamil citizens within the framework of unity and integrity of Sri Lanka. On North Korea, Ambassador Sen maintained that it is critical for the world to address 'not just symptoms but look at the sources of nuclear proliferation'.As far as the United States-India free trade act, Sen said that the issue has not yet been explored. 'It is an idea we should keep in mind'.

'Indo-US relations on upward path' 10/17/2006 Rediff.com	Return to Top
The sooner the Indo-US civilian nuclear agreement is in place the better as the deal has acquired a 'symbolic significance' and is a manifestation of a new relationship based on 'trust' and 'mutual benefit', Indian Ambassador to the US Ronen Sen has said. 'I hope that when -- I am not saying if -- this agreement, which was reached between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President George W Bush in July last year, is enacted into legislation it will be on the conviction that it is as beneficial for the United States as it is for India,' he said at The India Forum of the School of International Service at American University in Washington, DC on Monday. 'I don't want to push this beyond a point, but sooner it is done the better,' Sen said, adding the civilian nuclear agreement had acquired a certain 'symbolic significance' and that the agreement itself 'is a manifestation of a new relationship which is based on trust' and which is 'firmly set on an upward trajectory'. Speaking during an interactive session, Sen said '...the legislation when it is adopted it will be on the basis of broad bipartisan support as it has happened in the adoption of the legislation in the House of Representatives.' If the Clinton visit of 2000 was memorable, the Bush administration has taken the relationship on a 'much higher level' that, among other things, reflected a fundamental reorientation of American foreign policy, especially as it pertained to seeing India as an emerging regional and potentially a global power, Sen said. The focus of the Indian envoy's address to scholars, students and administrators was on the 'Emerging Strategic Partnership between India and the United States.'

Daybook October 17, 2006 10/17/2006 Washington Times	Return to Top
Information war -- noon -- The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars holds a discussion, 'Hizbollywood Hizbollah's Information War Viewed from Lebanon,' with Marwan Kraidy of the School of International Service at American University. Location WWC, One Woodrow Wilson Plaza, Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Contact 202/691-4000.

Edmund Ghareeb on TV 10/16/2006 News 8 at 5 PM - WGAL-TV	Return to Top
TONIGHT FROM SADDAM HUSSEIN FOR IRAQIS TO STOP FIGHTING EACH OTHER AND FOCUS ON DRIVING U-S FORCES OUT OF IRAQ. THIS AS THE DEATH TOLL FROM A MASSACRE IN THE CITY OF BALAD CONTINUES TO RISE. A MILITIA LOYAL TO AN ANTI-AMERICAN CLERIC IS WORKING IN THE CITY KILLING SUNNI MEN AND BOYS. NEWS 8'S WASHINGTON REPORTER SALLY KIDD JOINS US LIVE WITH THE LATEST. Saddam Hussein is urging Sunni insurgents to choose their targets carefully.PKG. SCRIPT SUPERS File Edmund Ghareeb/American University Tony Snow/White House Spokesman )Saddam Hussein clearly wants to be heard.But he says his opportunities are limited, so he has written an open letter to the Iraqi people, urging Sunnis and Shiites to quit settling scores and to put more effort into fighting U-S forces. Middle East scholar Edmund Ghareeb says Saddam still has support in Iraq but-- There's been a spike in violence since Friday --roving death squads, car bombings, mutilated bodies.More

Syria, Pakistan enjoy close relations, says Ambassador 10/16/2006 Syria Times	Return to Top
Syria, Pakistan enjoy close relations, says Ambassador Damascus SyriaTimes economy 16-10-2006 Nahed Hashem On the occasion of the end of his tour of office in Damascus, Dr. Abdul Moiz Bokhari, Pakistan's Ambassador to Syria recently hosted a farewell Iftar banquet. 'I am leaving with a heavy heart. Syria is my second home and I am planning to return some day,' Bokhari said in his impressive speech. Since his arrival, the Ambassador of Pakistan has made every effort to inject greater economic substance and promote cooperation in various domains; trade, commerce, science and technology, education, information technology... During his term in office, high Pakistani officials visited Syria as well as trade delegations with the purpose of enhancing bilateral trade relations. Culturally, Bokhari invited internationally celebrated Sufi music (Qawwali) troupes from Pakistan that received a standing ovation, in addition to holding exhibitions. Also, the Pakistan Ambassador hosted a dinner in honor of Ambassador Akbar Ahmed, Ibn Khaldoun Chair of Islamic Studies at American University, where discussions highlighted the harmony in which Muslims and Christians in Syria are living. Consequently, an outstanding improvement has taken place in the mutual commercial relations and a number of economic and commercial agreements were signed. Additionally, contacts between the businessmen of the two countries are on the rise, in addition to exchange of visits. The Ambassador pointed out that during his meetings with high government officials as well as the people; he strongly felt the immense warmth and affection for Pakistan. 'We are greatly inspired by the visionary leadership of H.E. President Bashar Al-Assad, who is leading the process of reform and modernization in the country,' Bokhari told Syria Times. 'My tour of office in Syria has been very useful and rewarding. I am deeply fascinated by the historical monuments and the rich treasures of civilization in Syria, which are evident at every place,' Bokhari said. Syria is not only the cradle of civilizations, but also her people are genuinely friendly, extremely hospitable and are proud of their language, history and culture. The two brotherly countries enjoy close and fraternal relations deeply-rooted in history, culture, civilization and shared perceptions on all major regional and international issues. On his vision about investment and joint ventures between the two countries, Bokhari noted that both countries can benefit from each other's expertise. He affirmed Pakistan's readiness to join hands with Syria, both in private and public sectors regarding infrastructural development, services, education and human resources development. Bokhari added 'The Pakistan International School of Damascus (PISOD) is a living proof of our friendship and fraternity. It is designed to further promote goodwill and understanding between the two countries and project our common values.' 'Our excellent understanding and mutual trust provide a solid foundation for upgrading our bilateral relations and diversifying areas of cooperation between the two countries,' concluded the Ambassador of Pakistan. The Iftar was attended by a number of cabinet ministers and ambassadors accredited to the country.

LIFE ON CAMPUS; The IM-generation blogs and slogs their way to college 10/15/2006 Richmond Times-Dispatch Allen, Deborah Rider	Return to Top
Life on college campuses around the state of Virginia is more than just academic. "The truth is in today's colleges and universities we have to market quality dining spaces, recreation spaces and a variety of housing facilities because students who are looking at campuses are looking for that and expect it," said Sam Sadler, vice president for student affairs at The College of William and Mary. For today's college students, that means amenities that were never available "back-in-the-day" - from laptop computers and iPods in the classroom, to luxury accommodations and gourmet foods. Here is a sampling of just a few things that are available. TECHNOLOGY OLD-SCHOOL: dorm hall telephones, handwritten class notes, library research, computers only in labs, audio labs for music and language, snail mail letters. NEW-SCHOOL: cell phones, laptops, blogs, wireless Internet, iPods, Podcasts, text messaging, instant messaging, paperless classes. You'd be hard pressed to find a college-age student today who does not have a cell phone. In fact many colleges are discontinuing some of their land line phone services because of lack of use. Two years ago the University of Mary Washington discontinued billed long-distance services on university telephone lines and this year it discontinued "phone mail" messaging service. "Today's students almost never use any of those services, and providing several of them proved to be a significant waste of money - the university's, and, of course, ultimately the student's," says Chip German, Mary Washington's vice president for information technologies and chief information officer. "At present, there is still a telephone land line in every student room, but even usage of that basic service in those rooms has dwindled, replaced by cell phone use and Internet messaging." At American University in Washington, students in some classes take notes on a laptop computer while simultaneously making comments on blogs. "American University is a wireless campus, so people live blog while they are in class, so they are doing internal monologuing," says Professor Patrick Thaddeus Jackson in the School of International Service who uses blogs in most of his classes. "Blogs are a way to replace journaling exercises. I divide my classes into groups of three to five who go off and create their own blog and I post on my blog a link of where everyone is. Then there are small group conversations going on outside of class where they bounce off each other's ideas." Jackson also posts Podcasts on his Web site for background information. "Instead of wasting class time they can download it and listen to it before they come to class and then we can have a more interesting discussion," he says. For student presentations he uses Podcasts enhanced with video. "So if I make a criticism of something that a student said in class, they are not dealing with memory but can go to the Podcast and actually hear and see what I mean," he says. Jackson has also made his classes paperless. Students e-mail assignments directly to him and he makes comments and e-mails them back. "This has eliminated them trying to read my handwriting." This fall music majors at Radford University are required to purchase iPods as a classroom tool. Music professor David Zuschin has students download play lists for classroom assignments, videos, RU music performances, professors' notes, PowerPoint presentations and lectures. He says the iPod has transformed the way students see and understand music, allowing them to make the connection between lecture material and actual musical excerpts. "It is one thing to understand the concept of decorative chromaticism, for instance, but quite another to hear it in a Chopin nocturne," says Zuschin. At Virginia Intermont College, students have wireless access in many areas of campus. The college has recently launched a new student learning management system where faculty perform many online functions such as posting grades, posting assignments, readings, tests, etc., advising students, and forming discussion groups, said Lisa Mitchell of the VIC marketing department. Although the college still provides land lines in dorms, most students use cell phones. Get the Lingo Text messaging is like speaking a different language. It's all about abbreviations. To help you decipher your teen's messages and communicate with them, here are a few of the most commonly used expressions: * LOL: Laughing out loud * OMG: Oh my gosh! * BTW: By the way * CUL8R: Call you later * POS: Parent over shoulder * GR8: Great * THX: Thanks * BRB: Be right back * CMB: Call me back * W/: With * B/C: Because * TTYL: Talk to you later * =0): Smiley face

Rioting of US generals and talking with Iran - Prof. Mowlana 10/13/2006 Payvand Iran News	Return to Top
Payvand's Iran News ... 10/13/06 Rioting of US generals and talking with Iran - Prof. Mowlana Tehran, Oct 13, IRNA-Hamid Mowlana, Professor of International Relations at School of International Service (SIS) of the American University in Washington DC had an article in Thursday edition of Kayhan Persian morning daily, focusing on Iran-US relations. Professor Mowlana begins his article with a recent quote from former US Under-secretary of State Richard Armitage, 'Under such conditions that the strongest army in Mideast region, the Israeli army has failed in silencing Lebanon (read Hezbollah), it is time to hesitate about resorting to force against the 70 million strong Iran, that has a noticeable strategic depth as well.' He then focuses on two major and unprecedented developments in the United States in the course of the past couple of weeks, namely the rioting of a group of US generals against the US policies in Iraq and, the recommendation of the senior partisans in both the Republican nd the Democrat parties to Bush Administration to begin talks with Iran as a bare necessity.' Among the rioting high brass US generals, Professor Mowlana refers to the commander of US Air Force in invasion against Iraq, general Charles Swank, and the commander of that country's army in that war, General John Batisteh, who were forced to retire themselves last week following their strong objection to US policies in Iraq. They had argued that the situation in Iraq strongly resembled the quagmire in which the US forces had got entangled in Vietnam, and that exiting Iraq would be as defaming for Washington as it once was from Hanoi. They and a larger number of high brass US generals had also asked for immediate resignation of the US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, who is one of the main architects of Iraq war. Professor Mowlana says, 'Last week the US Congress approved of a $70 billion emergency budget for pursuing the US military policies in Iraq and Afghanistan, while the total US military budget for 2007 is $585 billion; that is 3.6% increased compared to the 2006 military budget. Professor Hamid Mowlana who completed his political studies at Tehran University and has been teaching at SIS for thirty eight years has maintained his Iranian nationality. He is meanwhile an advisor and consultant to a number of international organizations, has worked for UNESCO in Paris, and is a visiting professor at universities in Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America. ©

Conference to explore Turkish Islamic movement 10/13/2006 Norman Transcript, The Melissa A. Wabnitz	Return to Top
Published October 13, 2006 12 23 am Conference to explore Turkish Islamic movement The Norman Transcript Growing international Gulen movement focuses on understanding Islam, world peace and educationBy Melissa A. WabnitzTranscript Staff WriterThe name may be lofty, but the beliefs and the practices composing the Fethullah Gulen movement are almost elementary in nature.Named after a devout Sufi Muslim, the growing Turkish-based movement focuses on world peace, harmony and education, said Barbara Boyd, director of outreach for the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Oklahoma.'We're learning that this movement has spread to all over the world,' Boyd said, 'and the followers are building schools, superior schools, that give children education within an ethical framework...'The schools and the practices of the Fethullah Gulen movement will be the subject of a Nov. 3-5 academic conference at the Oklahoma College Continuing Education in Norman.Fethullah Gulen schools don't focus on instilling Islamic principles, but instead, opt to teach 'universal principles,' Boyd said.'They teach what Gulen considers the universal principles, like compassion, generosity, kindness and humility. Principles that are essentially, what it is to be a human being. The schools are co-ed and focus on science and math,' she said.'Gulen's idea is that you change the world through education, educating others to consider interfaith dialogue, to be modern and change the world through this education.'Akbar Ahmed, the IBM Khaldum Chair of Islamic Studies at American University in Washington, D.C. will serve as the conference's key note speaker, as he is a renowned expert and frequent commentator on Islamic issues around the United States and world, Boyd said.For more information regarding the upcoming academic conference, call Boyd at 325-5615 or e-mail, okosman@interfaithdialog.org.

Rioting of US generals and talking with Iran - Prof. Mowlana 10/13/2006 Islamic Republic News Agency - New York Bureau	Return to Top
Iran-US-Negotiation Hamid Mowlana, Professor of International Relations at School of International Service (SIS) of the American University in Washington DC had an article in Thursday edition of Kayhan Persian morning daily, focusing on Iran-US relations. Professor Mowlana begins his article with a recent quote from former US Under-secretary of State Richard Armitage, 'Under such conditions that the strongest army in Mideast region, the Israeli army has failed in silencing Lebanon (read Hezbollah), it is time to hesitate about resorting to force against the 70 million strong ran, that has a noticeable strategic depth as well.' He then focuses on two major and unprecedented developments in the United States in the course of the past couple of weeks, namely the rioting of a group of US generals against the US policies in Iraq and, the recommendation of the senior partisans in both the Republican nd the Democrat parties to Bush Administration to begin talks with Iran as a bare necessity.' Among the rioting high brass US generals, Professor Mowlana refers to the commander of US Air Force in invasion against Iraq general Charles Swank and the commander of that country's Army in that war, General John Batisteh, who were forced to retire themselves last week following their strong objection to US policies in Iraq. They had argued that the situation in Iraq strongly resembled the quagmire in which the US forces had got entangled in Vietnam, and that exciting Iraq would be as defaming for Washington as it once was from Hanoi. They and a larger number of high brass US generals had also asked for immediate resignation of the US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, who is one of the main architects of Iraq war. Professor Mowlana says, 'Last week the US Congress approved of a $70 billion emergency budget for pursuing the US military policies in Iraq and Afghanistan, while the total US military budget for 2007 is $585 billion, that is 3.6% increased compared to the 2006 military budget. Professor Hamid Mowlana who completed his political studies at Tehran University and has been teaching at SIS for thirty eight years has maintained his Iranian nationality. He is meanwhile an advisor and consultant to a number of international organizations, has worked for UNESCO in Paris, and is a visiting professor at universities in Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America. News sent 17 35 Friday October 13, 2006 Print Related Sunday October 01, US economic sanctions have no impact on Iranians Speaker Back Next news Previous news Headlines N.Korea status result of outside pressure, isolation - envoy Army chief prepares ground for British retreat from Iraq IFJ condemns killing of British journalist by US forces in Iraq Tehrani worshipers condemn Danish media insult to prophet Mohammad (PBUH) Berlin denies report on formal end to EU-Iran nuclear talks Supreme Leader Int'l Qods Day, Islamic Ummah's call of resistance Rioting of US generals and talking with Iran - Prof. Mowlana UK denies parallels in Afghanistan with Soviet invasion Divide and rule policy revived in region - Supreme Leader UK pressing Israel on cluster bombs use in Lebanon Go Top Professor Mowlana begins his article with a recent quote from former US Under-secretary of State Richard Armitage, 'Under such conditions that the strongest army in Mideast region, the Israeli army has failed in silencing Lebanon (read Hezbollah), it is time to hesitate about resorting to force against the 70 million strong ran, that has a noticeable strategic depth as well.' He then focuses on two major and unprecedented developments in the United States in the course of the past couple of weeks, namely the rioting of a group of US generals against the US policies in Iraq and, the recommendation of the senior partisans in both the Republican nd the Democrat parties to Bush Administration to begin talks with Iran as a bare necessity.' Among the rioting high brass US generals, Professor Mowlana refers to the commander of US Air Force in invasion against Iraq general Charles Swank and the commander of that country's Army in that war, General John Batisteh, who were forced to retire themselves last week following their strong objection to US policies in Iraq. They had argued that the situation in Iraq strongly resembled the quagmire in which the US forces had got entangled in Vietnam, and that exciting Iraq would be as defaming for Washington as it once was from Hanoi. They and a larger number of high brass US generals had also asked for immediate resignation of the US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, who is one of the main architects of Iraq war. Professor Mowlana says, 'Last week the US Congress approved of a $70 billion emergency budget for pursuing the US military policies in Iraq and Afghanistan, while the total US military budget for 2007 is $585 billion, that is 3.6% increased compared to the 2006 military budget. Professor Hamid Mowlana who completed his political studies at Tehran University and has been teaching at SIS for thirty eight years has maintained his Iranian nationality. He is meanwhile an advisor and consultant to a number of international organizations, has worked for UNESCO in Paris, and is a visiting professor at universities in Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America. News sent 17 35 Friday October 13, 2006 Print Related Sunday October 01, US economic sanctions have no impact on Iranians Speaker Back Next news Previous news Headlines N.Korea status result of outside pressure, isolation - envoy Army chief prepares ground for British retreat from Iraq IFJ condemns killing of British journalist by US forces in Iraq Tehrani worshipers condemn Danish media insult to prophet Mohammad (PBUH) Berlin denies report on formal end to EU-Iran nuclear talks Supreme Leader Int'l Qods Day, Islamic Ummah's call of resistance Rioting of US generals and talking with Iran - Prof. Mowlana UK denies parallels in Afghanistan with Soviet invasion Divide and rule policy revived in region - Supreme Leader UK pressing Israel on cluster bombs use in Lebanon Go Top They had argued that the situation in Iraq strongly resembled the quagmire in which the US forces had got entangled in Vietnam, and that exciting Iraq would be as defaming for Washington as it once was from Hanoi. They and a larger number of high brass US generals had also asked for immediate resignation of the US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, who is one of the main architects of Iraq war. Professor Mowlana says, 'Last week the US Congress approved of a $70 billion emergency budget for pursuing the US military policies in Iraq and Afghanistan, while the total US military budget for 2007 is $585 billion, that is 3.6% increased compared to the 2006 military budget. Professor Hamid Mowlana who completed his political studies at Tehran University and has been teaching at SIS for thirty eight years has maintained his Iranian nationality. He is meanwhile an advisor and consultant to a number of international organizations, has worked for UNESCO in Paris, and is a visiting professor at universities in Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America.

Revolt of US generals & call for talks with Iran 10/13/2006 IranMania	Return to Top
LONDON, October 13 (IranMania) - According to IRNA, the morning daily, Kayhan, in an article dubbed 'Revolt of General and Talks with Iran' from Professor Hamid Mowlana, under its front page column, Perspective, analyzed two new developments in the US over the past couple of weeks. The article said that such events, including the revolt of a group of US generals against Washington's war policy in Iraq as well as the Middle East and the call of senior politicians from Democrat and Republican parties on President George Bush's government to hold talks with Iran, are quite unprecedented. In his article, Mowlana, Professor of International Relations from American University, Washington DC, said that the two developments are inter-connected, adding that they reflect the crisis of the US expansionist policy and the emergence of Iran's growing power in the Middle East, IRNA noted. 'Besides, recent developments open a new vision to understanding the identity and oligarchic trend of US administration,' added the professor. Turning to the new phase of discord among the senior military and political intellectuals of Bush administration over the US approach to Iran in recent weeks, he said that the delegation charged with Iraq studies headed by two senior American politicians representing other parties, upon return from its four-day visit to Iraq recommended Bush to hold talks with Iran on its nuclear issue and Iraq. 'Parallel to the visit of the US delegation to Iraq, revolt and objection of the retired senior officers of the US Army against the war policy of Bush administration got underway. 'They consider the US attack on Iraq, occupation of the country and the chaos caused by the continuous presence of US troops in the country as a new chapter in the US history similar to the Vietnam War, resulting in the defeat of Americans and the scandal of their withdrawal from there. Former US under-secretary of state Richard Lee Armitage recently said, 'Given the failure of Israel, which is the strongest army in the region, to overcome the Lebanese Hizbollah, no rush decision should be made in case of Iran with its population of 70 million and strategic position.'

Five Years after September 11 Testing the Clash of Civilizations 10/13/2006 Pakistan Link	Return to Top
Five Years after September 11 Testing the Clash of Civilizations By Hailey Woldt Georgetown University Washington, DC Samuel Huntington, professor at Harvard University and author, wrote in 1993 the widely recognized book The Clash of Civilizations where the future of international conflicts will be among massive groups of people defining themselves by their civilizations. The differences are not only real but basic between civilizations and with an increasingly interconnected world, these civilizations especially the Western world and Islam will fall into major conflict. Akbar Ahmed, a leading scholar on Islam and professor of international relations at American University, has been examining the relationship between the West and Islam for quite some time. While Huntington argues that the two civilizations have had conflicts for a thousand years, he believes that the shared Abrahamic faith between Islam and the West is a point of common values and opportunity for dialogue. In his book After Terror Promoting Dialogue Among Civilizations, Ahmed compiled essay specifically counteracting Huntingtons thesis and in Islam Under Siege argued that all civilizations felt under attack. Five years after the day which symbolized what some call a clash of civilizations, September 11, 2001, these two men at the cutting edge of political thought reflect on where the idea has either progressed or fallen short. The Pew Charitable Trust, a leading research and survey foundation in Washington, DC, conducted two separate interviews shortly before the anniversary of 9/11 with them to get their take on commonalities, politics, and advice for the future. Pew Would you say that we are now in a full-fledged clash of civilizations? SH Not simply one clash, but clashes of civilizations certainly occur& But now, because of all of the momentous changes in communications and transportation, people from different civilizations are interacting in a way they haven't before, and are interacting on a more equal basis. In the past, people in one civilization, for example, the Chinese or Europeans, have expanded, conquered and dominated people from other civilizations. We have a world in which there are a significant number of major civilizations it's a pluralistic world&The United States, as well as the European Union, Japan and other major actors all have to take into consideration the interests and probable responses of other major actors to what they do. I think religion certainly plays a tremendously important role. It is manifest broadly, but not exclusively, in the rise of religious consciousness in the Muslim world. Yet Ahmed stated that, despite recent events, we must refer back to a greater historical and comprehensive vision of the world Pew In light of the US invasion of Iraq, conflict in places such as Lebanon and the anti-Semitic and anti-American rhetoric we are hearing from the President of Iran, do you still reject the clash of civilizations paradigm? AA I am a scholar. I don't look at what is coherent, strong and historical, which is the idea of the clash of civilizations, and simply say it doesn't exist, because that would not only be inaccurate and untrue, but it would not be cognitive. We have to take an idea and grapple with it, understand it, engage with it. The clash exists because it has existed for a thousand years, exactly as Huntington has stated. We have had the centuries of the Crusades and then of European colonization spanning over a thousand years of history, which has made for a complex and difficult relationship between Islam and the West. The clash exists because it has existed for a thousand years, exactly as Huntington has stated. We have had the centuries of the Crusades and then of European colonization spanning over a thousand years of history, which has made for a complex and difficult relationship between Islam and the West. This is my criticism of Huntington, because he leaves it out great periods of harmony, cultural synthesis and interaction of ideas&There was also the development, which Huntington missed in his thesis, of the mass migration of Muslims to the West in the past couple decades. I'm not talking about a couple thousand immigrants; I'm talking about millions of Muslims actually living, interacting with and becoming citizens of the West. For example, the United States has several million Muslims. It has included American and Muslim icons, such as Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X. Rumi, the 13th century mystic poet, born in Afghanistan, is the number-one, best-selling poet of the United States. Americans love his mystic poetry of compassion and acceptance. Another historic fact The first country in the world to recognize the United States of America was Morocco, a Muslim country. So it isn't quite a clash of civilizations that has been going on. While there may be an element of clash, there is a larger element of synthesis, understanding and sporadic dialogue. Huntington argues in his original article that the bases of civilizations again are real and basic. This would mean that universal American values such as democracy and individuality will not translate into the Muslim world, he argues. Thus a democracy in the West will not necessarily have the same outcome as those in the Muslim world Pew Has it surprised you that when democratic elections have been held in some Muslim countries recently, that Islamist parties have been chosen by the electorate? SH I can honestly say, no, it did not surprise me. I have, at various times, expressed warnings to people out promoting democracy to not assume just because a government wins power through relatively fair elections, it is going to implement the same values we have and be friendly to us. Governments that do win by elections have to appeal to the sentiments, and, in large part, nationalist sentiments, of their peoples, and for understandable reasons, are often rather anti-Western. Ahmed has seen trends within Muslim leadership not because democracy is incompatible with Islam, but in reacting to the growing sense of crisis and a rising sense of Islamic consciousness in the Muslim world In light of [the] perception that Islam is under attack [by the West], what type of Islamic leadership do you see emerging? AA My analysis of the Muslim world reveals that there are three distinct kinds of leadership in play, completely missed by the West, missed by Huntington and missed by the analysts here who see the Muslim world more or less as a monolith. The first kind of Muslim leader is the enduring and endearing model of the mystic Sufi. I'll give you the example of Rumi, the most popular poet in the Muslim world. The second model is that of the modernist Muslim who wants to synthesize Islam with Western ideas. Muhammad Ali Jinnah is my favorite example because he founded Pakistan. He wanted to model Pakistan on Westminster democracy to include women's rights, human rights and minority rights. He believed in a proper democracy and wanted to run Pakistan with respect for law and order, according to the constitution. This was in the 1940s. He dressed in Western suits and spoke English. Yet he was elected and adored by millions of Muslims who looked up to him as a leader of great integrity, courage and principles. The third model is the Muslim who says, 'We want to be exclusivist. We want to draw boundaries around Islam. Islam is being threatened and is in danger. We must preserve the purity and tradition of Islam. We must go back to the time of the seventh century.' In this third model, you have a whole range of activity from the Taliban in Afghanistan to the Wahhabis in Saudi Arabia. Among these three models, there is clash, conflict and opposition. This is the reality on the ground of the Muslim world today; it is not just a 9/11 phenomenon. It has been taking place for the last two centuries and is now reaching a climax. It is being pushed and accelerated by the event following 9/11 the invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan, the scandals about the treatment of Muslim prisoners at Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo Bay and the abuse of the prophet in these cartoons. It all feeds the perception that Islam is under attack and must fight back. These events encourage and reinforce not the mystic, not the modernist, but the exclusivist. United States policy should be directed toward supporting and encouraging the first two models because support for the exclusivist model has never been greater, mainly because of the growing anger and emotion now in the Muslim world. September 11, 2001, was the crossroads of civilizations then and the true test of this idea. The United States has tried to export democracy and universal American values to Iraq, Afghanistan, and through dialogue other developing countries, but Huntington opposes the general idea that the American ideal of freedom and democracy for all even exists. You've said America is only a disappointment because it is an idealistic hope. As you look to the future, what gives you the most hope for our country and its relationship with the rest of the world? SH I think a great thing about America is its pluralism and the wide diversity of groups ethnic, racial, religious and political that we have in this country. We have, with one major exception, obviously the Civil War generally lived harmoniously with each other and developed this large, highly prosperous and most powerful society in the world, a society which, for all its limitations, at its core is a democratic society protecting the freedom of expression and religion. That is an unprecedented achievement in history. Akbar Ahmed agrees that the ideal we should hope for is not necessarily the best American-style democracy, but understanding and peaceful coexistence among different civilizations and within our own nations. He reminded Pew of the historical examples and thus what we should aim to achieve in this post-9/11 world. AA &if we see the continuation of the clash of civilizations theory and its implementation, we will almost certainly see the emergence and consolidation of the exclusionists. Then, we will all be in for a violent, troublesome and uncertain future in the 21st century. So we really need to ask Has the clash theory, which has so far dominated foreign policy in the United States, really succeeded? Has it gotten us what we wanted or should we now explore an alternative paradigm? This alternative paradigm when put into practice is the broader acceptance to other civilizations and high-level dialogues. Ahmed himself has engaged in many such endeavors, including dialogues with Judea Pearl, father of the murdered journalist Daniel Pearl who was killed in Karachi AA I made a commitment to dialogue after 9/11 and I stuck by that commitment. Dialogue by itself is empty. It's rhetoric, it's a clich. Two people talk, they go home and nothing happens. But dialogue that leads to understanding leads to the idea of actually getting to know each other, of understanding. I've gotten to know Judea. I've come to know the pain, the history and the traditions of his people. From this dialogue we have seen the possibility of friendship and friendship changes everything. When people become friends, they don't think of blowing themselves up and killing each other. They are prepared to make compromises, to change, to accommodate. (Article based on the Pew Charitable Trust article Five Years After 9/11, The Clash of Civilizations Revisited, Mark OKeefe, Associate Director, Editorial, Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life)

Kevin Roose '09 The sound of snobbery 10/13/2006 Brown Daily Herald Kevin Roose	Return to Top
Kevin Roose '09 The sound of snobbery Letting a group of scholars define what constitutes 'good music' is a dangerous proposition Kevin Roose Issue date 10/13/06 Section Columns PrintEmail Page 1 of 1 I've got a confession to make. At Brown, this confession is akin to admitting at a PETA convention that you harbor a secret hankering for kielbasa, but I'll make it anyway I'm not a huge fan of National Public Radio. Very little of the programming hits home with me. It's not that I disagree with the hosts, or that I don't like listener-supported radio. It's just that I find NPR a little stodgy, and my fingers instinctively guide the dial to my local Top 40 station, where I can hear 'London Bridge' four times an hour without having to sit through a pledge drive. NPR's latest snooze-fest is its list of the top 300 songs of the 20th century, as rated by the NPR cultural programming staff and a team of experts. I read the list eagerly, excited to wander down memory lane with songs like 'Iris' and the Titanic theme, the quintessential songs of my lifetime. Instead, I started the list and came across 'Adagio for Strings' (Samuel Barber, 1938) Ever heard of this one? Surprisingly, I hadn't. So I kept going and saw 'After Hours' (Avery Parrish, 1940) 'Airmail Special' (Jimmy Mundy/Goodman/Charlie Christian, 1941) 'All or Nothing at All' (Jack Lawrence/Arthur Altman, 1940) I jumped at the last one, thinking it might be the O-Town song that played during some of my more awkward eighth-grade slow-dances. Nope, just another obscure wartime tune. Though NPR's list focuses overwhelmingly on music from the early and mid-20th century, the experts did make a few pathetic attempts to include contemporary songs. They appear to have picked N.W.A.'s 'F*ck Tha Police' out of the archive with sterilized gloves, and they sandwiched Lauryn Hill between 'Django' (Modern Jazz Quartet, 1955) and 'Dream A Little Dream Of Me' (Kate Smith, 1931), a placement I'm sure Hill appreciates. But don't worry that the NPR cultural experts are eclipsing BET in street cred. They followed up 'Doo-Wop (That Thing)' with 'Drumming' (Steve Reich, 1971), 'Ebony Concerto' (Igor Stravinsky, 1945) and 'Einstein on the Beach' (Philip Glass, 1976), possibly the three whitest pieces of music ever written. So I understand that NPR's target audience is more into the Charleston than the Crip Walk, and therefore it's fair that the list is skewed towards older music. But NPR's list doesn't even do a good job of reflecting what previous generations actually listened to. If you look at the Billboard charts from the late 1960s, two groups were at the top The Rolling Stones and The Beatles. Both are mind-bogglingly absent from the NPR list. That's what bothers me most about the NPR Top 300, and about NPR in general - it's prescriptive, telling us what it thinks people should like to listen to, rather than being descriptive, by taking the songs people actually like and playing them on the air. For example, '4 33,' an avant-garde song made up entirely of 4 minutes and 33 seconds of silence, makes the NPR list. Let me rephrase NPR's music critics decided that 'Stairway to Heaven,' 'Satisfaction,' 'Hotel California' and other iconic American songs were less deserving of a spot on a list of great twentieth century music than four minutes of silence. Mick Jagger is rolling in his dialysis bed somewhere. It saddens me that, as an educated person, I will be expected to enjoy NPR someday. When I go into the real world, I'll have to keep up with the programming in order to quibble with friends about the prescience of Diane Rehm's show on women's rights in East Timor. A friend once told me about a Brown professor who mused out loud to his class 'do I as a professor listen to NPR because I like it, or because I want to be the kind of person who listens to NPR?' Professor, I feel your pain. I, too, want to be the kind of person who listens to serious radio. But I don't want to have to apologize for the fact that my iPod contains not one, but three 'SexyBack' remixes, and not a single copy of 'Symphony No. 3' (Wallingford Riegger, 1948). NPR's thinly veiled attempt to define an educated elitism that hums along to Tibetan flute music won't fool me. I'm not going to let a bunch of ethnomusicologists tell me what music I should listen to, regardless of whether my personal choices put me at odds with my educational stratum. Music is meant to be enjoyed as a visceral experience, not as a means of proving your intelligence. So, my final words of advice to NPR listeners are don't be afraid to turn down the Stravinsky and turn up the Shakira. Your ears may thank you. Kevin Roose '09 is looking for a hype man to rev up his readers. Page 1 of 1 Article Tools Blog This Blogger Add Our RSS to Google Bookmark This del.icio.us digg newsvine

The price of Russia's 'dictatorship of law' 10/12/2006 Christian Science Monitor Burger, Ethan S.	Return to Top
The contract-style killing of Novaya Gazeta correspondent Anna Politkovskaya this past weekend has caused shock and outrage in the human rights and journalistic communities in Russia and abroad. While thousands attended her funeral Tuesday, the Russian government was apparently represented only by a deputy minister of culture. The significance of her death can only be understood within the context of recent developments in Russia that must not be ignored by foreign political and business leaders. Ms. Politkovskaya's assassination cannot simply be regarded as retribution for her reporting about atrocities committed by the Russian armed forces in Chechnya or her critical assessment of Russian President Vladimir Putin's policies. Rather, her murder - the 13th contract-style murder of a Russian journalist since Mr. Putin came to power in 2000, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists - is the latest example of the lawlessness in Russian society. This state of affairs is a by-product of a conscious effort by prominent individuals representing powerful interest groups to intimidate the opponents of the political and economic order, as well as to drive foreign competition in the natural resource and financial sectors out of Russia. Last month, Russian Central Bank Deputy Director Andrei Kozlov was murdered in Moscow. Mr. Kozlov was widely regarded as a supporter of further economic reform and opening up the country's banking sector to increased competition, including from foreign banks. Earlier this month, Enver Ziganshin, the chief engineer for the Anglo-Russian oil producer TNK-BP, was gunned down in Siberia - perhaps as a warning to BP. Mr. Ziganshin's killing took place shortly after Russia's government jeopardized Shell's multibillion-dollar oil-development investment in the Sakhalin II fields by revoking a critical license. The Russian authorities allegedly took this step on the grounds that Shell had caused significant harm to the environment. This action has been met by a great deal of skepticism given the generally weak enforcement of Russian environmental regulations. After becoming president six years ago, Putin promised to end the disorder of the Yeltsin era and establish a "dictatorship of law." This phrase was ambiguous then. Not so today. Given Putin's time as a KGB agent and his education as a lawyer, it's clear that he envisioned a "Bismarckian" model that would combine a rule-based society with an expanded safety net. The presumption was that Russians, raised in the communist Soviet Union, would be willing to give up civil rights in exchange for economic growth and stability in their daily lives. But Putin has largely failed to deliver as expected. The Russian government has pursued a course of taking direct or indirect control of much of the country's natural-resource sector under the guise of law. Consider the government's heavy-handed tactics toward Mikhail Khodorovsky's Yukos oil company in recent years. Today, those who know how Russian state policy is determined and who controls it are limited to a small group in the Kremlin. Analysts note that some 6,000 former KGB officials hold key positions in the Russian government at a time when power is increasingly centralized in Moscow. It is not clear that Putin has the power to set policy unilaterally. He faces pressure to accommodate the interests of the siloviki - the powerful senior figures in the Federal Security Service, the military, and the Ministry of the Interior. Two likely explanations for recent events is that either Putin has sanctioned deliberate policies, or his lame-duck status - his term is scheduled to end in 2008 - means that he no longer has the power to ensure domestic order, or set the direction for Russia's foreign policy. The latter may explain Russia's increasingly disturbing policies toward Belarus, Iran, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine. Russia's direction is making many governments nervous. Private-sector attitudes are likely to change, too. Companies should think twice about making large investments in unstable countries without a well-established rule of law. For Russia to attract both domestic and foreign investors, its legal and corporate governance must become more transparent and accountable. This will not occur without an independent press that reliably reports about conditions that affect commerce - or if the Russian government continues to intervene on behalf of its political favorites. It cannot live on energy exports alone, especially given its falling population. If current conditions persist, only those who have good political connections with the Russian ruling elite will be willing to be active in the country's economy. In some respects, this may resemble centralized control over economic activity and political life as it was in the not-so-distant past. * Ethan S. Burger is a scholar-in-residence at American University's School of International Service and an adjunct professor at Georgetown University Law Center in Washington.

Revolt of American generals; call for US talk with Iran 10/12/2006 Arabic News	Return to Top
Revolt of American generals; call for US talk with Iran Iran-USA, Politics, 10/12/2006 The morning daily, Kayhan, in an article dubbed 'Revolt of General and Talks with Iran' from Professor Hamid Mowlana, under its front page column, Perspective, today, analyzed two new developments in the US over the past couple of weeks. The article said that such events, including the revolt of a group of US generals against Washington's war policy in Iraq as well as the Middle East and the call of senior politicians from Democrat and Republican parties on President George Bush's government to hold talks with Iran, are quite unprecedented. In his article, Mowlana, Professor of International Relations from American University, Washington DC, said that the two developments are inter-connected, adding that they reflect the crisis of the US expansionist policy and the emergence of Iran's growing power in the Middle East. 'Besides, recent developments open a new vision to understanding the identity and oligarchic trend of US administration,' added the professor. Turning to the new phase of discord among the senior military and political intellectuals of Bush administration over the US approach to Iran in recent weeks, he said that the delegation charged with Iraq studies headed by two senior American politicians representing other parties, upon return from its four-day visit to Iraq recommended Bush to hold talks with Iran on its nuclear issue and Iraq. 'Parallel to the visit of the US delegation to Iraq, revolt and objection of the retired senior officers of the US Army against the war policy of Bush administration got underway. 'They consider the US attack on Iraq, occupation of the country and the chaos caused by the continuous presence of US troops in the country as a new chapter in the US history similar to the Vietnam War, resulting in the defeat of Americans and the scandal of their withdrawal from there. Former US under-secretary of state Richard Lee Armitage recently said, 'Given the failure of Israel, which is the strongest army in the region, to overcome the Lebanese Hizbullah, no rush decision should be made in case of Iran with its population of 70 million and strategic position.'

Media Guide To LIFE(at)50-plus - AARP's National Event & Expo 10/12/2006 U.S. Newswire	Return to Top
Media Guide To LIFE(at)50-plus - AARP's National Event & Expo To Assignment Desk, Daybook Editor Contact Nancy Thompson, 202-434-2667; 202-297-3106 (cell); Anaheim Press Room 714-765-2037 (as of Wednesday, October 25th) Event Overview Life(at)50-plus - AARP's National Event & Expo, in its 5th year, will deliver three unforgettable days and nights filled with non-stop activity, information, fun, and excitement to 25,000 attendees at the Anaheim Convention Center, October 26- 28, 2006. Life(at)50-plus is AARP's unique expo and entertainment weekend for people who want to make the most of their lives at 50-plus. This national event features boldface name entertainers, 400-plus brand name exhibits, news-you-can-use lectures, and hands-on health and fitness activities. Twenty-five thousand AARP members and friends will come to hear-redoubtable personality Maya Angelou; broadcast luminaries Dan Rather, Terry Bradshaw, Connie Chung, and Sonia Manzano; actresses Raquel Welch, Ruby Dee and Betty White; producers Suzanne DePasse and Ken Burns; legendary comedian Carl Reiner; plus experts on health, personal finance, job hunting, dating, high tech, travel and home improvement, not to mention cartoonists, columnists and authors. Daily highlights include close to two dozen AARP University, lifestyle and feature sessions presenting experts offering insights, entertainment and expertise on everything from TV sports to finding love after 50; a film festival of movies for grownups; classes in hands-on computer learning, an onsite house built to showcase design and details that make your home more livable, storytellers, on-site broadcasts by local radio stations and the syndicated show, 'The Money Pit', morning fitness classes with martial arts guru Billy Blanks and fitness celebrity Denise Austin and more. Speaker Interviews (see daily listing below for names and times) Need to be scheduled by calling Nancy Thompson at 202-434-2667. Headline Entertainer Interviews Call Nancy Thompson at 202-434-2667 to make arrangements for advance interviews in coordination with their publicists. Starting October 25th, please check in with the Life(at)50-plus media office in Room 211A of the Anaheim Convention Center for schedule updates and room locations. Media Opportunities Thursday, October 26, 2006 Opening Ceremony featuring (10 am - 11 30am) Dan Rather, the embodiment of the intrepid broadcast journalist. For more than 40 years, the former CBS News anchor and current 60 Minutes correspondent will reflect on his experiences in covering every major news story of our time. Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa will welcome us all to California. As the first Latino mayor of Los Angeles since 1872 and one of the leading progressive voices in the country, Villaraigosa promises to make us all feel at home in the Golden State. Lifestyle Sessions (12 30pm - 1 30pm) - These sessions are designed to share unique approaches to making the most out of life after 50 and to empower people to take charge of the economic, social, and physical aspects of their life(at)50-plus. -- AARP Celebrates Movies for Grownups - Carl Reiner, an American icon of comedy famous for creating and starring in The 2000 Year Old Man (early 1960s) and The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961-1969), kicks off the AARP Celebrates Movies for Grownups film festival. -- Finding Love After 50 in 2006 - Tom Blake writes 'Single Again' for the Orange County Register. With more than 935 columns composed on finding love after 50 and beyond, he has a lot to share. -- Getting the Most Out of Your Relationship with Your Local Pharmacist Sponsored by Walgreen's - Daniel Luce is the Corporate Manager of Pharmacy Affairs with the Walgreen Company and has practiced hospital, long-term care, and independent community pharmacy. AARP University Sessions (2 pm - 3 pm) - AARP University Sessions are large symposiums focusing on topics related to people 50-plus. These will only be offered once, and seat between 800 and 3,500 attendees. -- ID Theft Protecting Your Good Name -- There is a Magic Bullet The Power of Walking -- Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage What You Need to Know Now -- Fighting Fat How Other Cultures Stay Trim -- Why Does Health Care Cost So Much? AARP Celebrates Movies For Grownups - The Ultimate Gift (2 30pm - 4 30pm) AARP University Workshops (3 30pm - 4 30pm) - AARP University Workshops are small, interactive discussions and specialized hands-on programs focused on special subjects, issues, needs, trends, or skills relevant to the professional or personal needs of people 50-plus. They are offered multiple times throughout Life(at)50- plus. -- Be a Writer and Get Published -- Volunteer Abroad Explore, Serve, and Learn -- A Dose of Prescription Drug Reality -- Consumers in 'Jeopardy' -- Find Your Voice Two Effective Grassroots Strategies -- The Best Is Yet To Come Later Life Creativity -- Scrapbooking Making Memories -- Being the Best Grandparent From a Distance -- Write a Winning Resume and Find Your Next Job Online -- Cyber Safety Staying Safe on the Internet -- Job Hunting After 50 Ace the Interview Feature Session (3 30pm - 4 30pm) -- Aging Gracefully Is There Such a Thing? Sponsored by UnitedHealth Group - Raquel Welch became an instant movie star when she burst onto movie screens in the science fiction classics Fantastic Voyage and One Million Years B.C., and she's never stopped since. 'Welcome to Southern California' Party Featuring Papa Doo Run Run (4 30pm - 5 30pm) AARP Studio 50-plus Nightclubs (8 00pm - 11 00pm) - Studio 50-plus gives Anaheim attendees the opportunity to mingle and create new friendships and bonds in a relaxed, party atmosphere. Three nightclubs with an eclectic mix of local music guarantees a fun night for everyone. -- Motor City Magic AARP After Dark Lounge featuring Silver Stars (10 00pm - 1 00am) -- Local talent age 50-plus bring their style to Life(at)50-plus. Media Opportunities Friday, October 27, 2006 Morning Fitness (7 30am - 8 30am) - Kick start your morning and workout with Tae Bo creator Billy Blanks, who will show you his innovative martial arts / aerobics hybrid workout. AM Feature Session (9 30am - 10 30am) -- Eye to Eye Sponsored by Walgreen's - Connie Chung is an award winning, 35-year veteran as a television news anchor, reporter, and only the second woman to co-anchor a major network news program. She is the recipient of a Peabody Award and honors from American Women in Radio and Television. AARP Celebrates Movies For Grownups - Big Mama (9 30am - 10 30am) AARP University Workshops (11 am - 12 pm) -- Be a Writer and Get Published -- Volunteer Abroad Explore, Serve, and Learn -- Rx Drugs Why Do My Meds Cost So Much -- Don't Get Tricked, Treat Yourself to Consumer Tips -- Find Your Voice Two Effective Grassroots Strategies -- The Best Is Yet To Come Later Life Creativity -- Scrapbooking Making Memories -- Keep in Step with Your Grandchildren -- Write a Winning Resume and Find Your Next Job Online -- Cyber Safety Staying Safe on the Internet -- Job Hunting After 50 Ace the Interview AARP University Sessions (11 am - 12 pm) -- Planning for and Protecting Your Retirement - Hedrick Smith, former New York Times Pulitzer-prize winner -- Tech Talk Computers, the Internet, and You! -- AARP California Programs, Activities & Efforts -- Cancer Can Your Diet Make a Difference? -- Travel Trends and Tips -- 'Home Sweet Home' Smart Technologies for Aging in Place AARP Celebrates Movies For Grownups - Mr. Conservative Goldwater on Goldwater (11 00pm - 1 00pm) Lifestyle Sessions (12 30pm - 1 30pm) -- Comedy, Cubicles and Corporate Life - Scott Adams, creator of the Dilbert comic strip, delivers his unique perspective on work and life. -- Friendships Keep You Young - Keith Ferrazzi, called one of the world's most 'connected' individuals by both Forbes and Inc. magazines, looks at the value of social ties. -- Importance of Fitness for a Healthy Lifestyle - Billy Blanks first created his martial arts/aerobics hybrid, Tae Bo, in 1975. At Life(at)50-plus, he'll share the benefits of staying in shape. -- Consumer Reports 'Labs on Tour' - Robert Karpel is a program leader for Consumer Reports' Appliance Department, having carefully safeguarded consumers for twenty years. Being a professional engineer, not only has he tested appliances and equipment, he has also designed product-testing instruments used by himself and other scientists to test products. AARP Celebrates Movies For Grownups - Before I Go / Complaints of a Dutiful Daughter (1 30pm - 3 pm) Lifestyle Sessions (2 pm - 3 pm) -- Taking Care of Our Parents - Sonia Manzano, a first-generation American of Latino descent, joined Sesame Street as 'Maria' in the 1970s. She later became a writer for the show and juggled her schedule to care for her parents. -- B. Smith's Recipe For Success - B. Smith knows style whether it's on the runway, in a restaurant or in the comfort of your home. The former fashion model turned restaurateur, television host, author, entrepreneur and entertainer extraordinaire talks about lifestyle and living. -- How to be an Effective and Savvy Health Consumer Making the 'Right' Health Decisions to Meet 'Your' Individual Needs Sponsored by UnitedHealth Group - Reed Tuckson, M.D. is currently Senior Vice President of Consumer Health and Medical Care Advancement at UnitedHealth Group. AARP University Sessions (2 pm - 3 pm) -- Womenvision Unique Issues for Women 50-plus -- Diversity & Aging in the 21st Century -- Creating Communities for Successful Aging -- Investing Basics - How Much Do You Need To Retire with nationally syndicated columnist Terry Savage AARP Celebrates Movies For Grownups - Nobody's Business (3 30pm - 4 15pm) PM Feature Session (3 30pm - 4 30pm) -- Why Not Your Best - Terry Bradshaw, widely acknowledged as today's preeminent NFL studio personality. The former quarterback was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. He'll talk about how we can learn the same spirit that has brought his success. AARP University Workshops (4 pm - 5 pm) -- Be a Writer and Get Published -- Volunteer Abroad Explore, Serve, and Learn -- A Dose of Prescription Drug Reality -- Consumers in 'Jeopardy' -- Find Your Voice Two Effective Grassroots Strategies -- The Best Is Yet To Come Later Life Creativity -- Scrapbooking Making Memories -- Being the Best Grandparent From a Distance -- Write a Winning Resume and Find Your Next Job Online -- Cyber Safety Staying Safe on the Internet -- Job Hunting After 50 Ace the Interview -- Photo Fun How To Take Better Photos AARP Celebrates Movies For Grownups - Mabel's Saga / Louise / Backseat Bingo (4 45pm - 5 30pm) Wit and Wisdom Bill Cosby with Special Guest Jose Feliciano (7 30pm - 9 30pm) AARP After Dark Lounge featuring Silver Stars (10 pm - 1 am) Media Opportunities Saturday, October 28, 2006 Morning Fitness (7 30am - 8 30am) - Work out with 'America's favorite fitness expert' Denise Austin. Learn her sensible, realistic, and enthusiastic approach to fitness and eating, as she works out only 30 minutes a day and never skips a meal. Closing Session (9 00am - 11 00am) -- Women Who Were Inspirational In Our Lives - Maya Angelou, one of the great voices of contemporary literature and a remarkable Renaissance woman, celebrate others who came before. AARP Celebrates Movies For Grownups - In a Nutshell A Portrait of Elizabeth (10 30am - 12 00pm) Staying Sharp Current Advances in Brain Research Sponsored by Foremost (10 30am - 12 pm) Lifestyle Sessions (11 am - 12 pm) -- Playing It Safe 10 Tips for Healthy Visits to the Doctor and Hospital - Rosemary Gibson, author of Wall of Silence, has more than 20 years experience in health care. -- The Trials and Tribulations of Writing a Newspaper Column Are They Laughing in Nebraska?- Craig Wilson has been a feature writer at USA Today for 22 years, writing his popular Wednesday column, 'The Final Word', for the past 10. -- My Eye Health In the Wink of an Eye - Betty White, legendary 'Golden Girls' actress, knows how to make the most of her golden years. She will share the secrets of healthy aging, especially taking good care of your eyesight. -- Keeping the Boom in Boomer - JoAnne Musolf will fill in the missing piece of your retirement puzzle emotional planning. -- Setting your Sights on Diabetes Health - Kim Fox, a registered dietician, helps make sense of nutrition terms so you can manage your meal planning. AARP Celebrates Movies For Grownups - Curtain Call (12 30pm - 1 45pm) Feature Session (12 30pm - 2 pm) -- 2011 Council members have lived the boomer experience and are widely recognized in many fields. This year's discussion will focus on the entertainment industry. Producers Ken Burns and Suzanne de Passe, TV Land / Nick at Night President Larry Jones, composer and music marketing guru Tena Clark, and professor Leonard Steinhorn, author of The Greater Generation In Defense of the Baby Boom Legacy will take part in this historic and unprecedented conversation. AARP Celebrates Movies For Grownups - Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont (2 15pm - 4 15pm) AARP University Workshops (2 pm - 3 pm) -- Be a Writer and Get Published -- Volunteer Abroad Explore, Serve, and Learn -- Rx Drugs Why Do My Meds Cost So Much -- Don't Get Tricked, Treat Yourself to Consumer Tips -- Find Your Voice Two Effective Grassroots Strategies -- The Best Is Yet To Come Later Life Creativity -- Scrapbooking Making Memories -- Keep in Step with Your Grandchildren -- Write a Winning Resume and Find Your Next Job Online -- Cyber Safety Staying Safe on the Internet -- Job Hunting After 50 Ace the Interview -- Photo Fun How To Take Better Photos Lifestyle Sessions (2 30pm - 3 30pm) -- Interfaith Dialogue Building Bridges Between Islam and Judaism - Ambassador Akbar Ahmed, the Ibn Khaldun Chair of Islamic Studies, American University, Washington, DC, is 'the world's leading authority on contemporary Islam' according to the BBC. As the former High Commissioner of Pakistan to Great Britain, he has advised Prince Charles and met with President George W. Bush on Islam. Hillel Levine is a stirring speaker and writer, inspiring popular audiences and influencing 'movers and shakers.' His research provided the basis for an Oscar- winning documentary and a feature-length dramatization. -- See You In Boston - Ron Della Chiesa has been a music historian and broadcasting legend at Boston's WGBH radio for 35 years. Kevin Panetta, from the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau, has been selected by Meetings & Conventions Magazine as 'One of Five Elite Convention & Visitors Bureaus in the Country'. They preview next year's Life(at)50-plus in Boston, September 6th - 8th, 2007. AARP University Sessions (2 30pm - 3 30pm) -- Health and Medicine The Wise Use of Prescription Drugs -- Retirement Security Putting the Pieces Together -- AARP and California A Shared History -- Scam Proof Your Life See You In Boston Party (3 pm - 4 pm) Feature Session (4 pm - 5 pm) -- The Advocacy of Life - Ruby Dee has been a long- time star of the stage and screen. A member of the American Negro Theatre, she is known for such stage and film performances as Ruthie in A Raisin in the Sun opposite Sidney Poitier and Spike Lee's Do the Right Thing. Dee and husband Ossie Davis are recipients of the National Medal of Arts Award bestowed at The White House by President and Mrs. Clinton in 1995. Saturday Night's Alright! Elton John (7 30pm - 9 30pm) AARP After Dark Lounge featuring Silver Stars (10 pm - 1 am) / 2006 U.S. Newswire 202-347-2770/

Revolt of American generals and call for US talk with Iran 10/12/2006 Islamic Republic News Agency - New York Bureau	Return to Top
Iran-US-Press The morning daily, Kayhan, in an article dubbed 'Revolt of General and Talks with Iran' from Professor Hamid Mowlana, under its front page column, Perspective, on Thursday, analyzed two new developments in the US over the past couple of weeks. The article said that such events, including the revolt of a group of US generals against Washington's war policy in Iraq as well as the Middle East and the call of senior politicians from Democrat and Republican parties on President George Bush's government to hold talks with Iran, are quite unprecedented. In his article, Mowlana, Professor of International Relations from American University, Washington DC, said that the two developments are inter-connected, adding that they reflect the crisis of the US expansionist policy and the emergence of Iran's growing power in the Middle East. 'Besides, recent developments open a new vision to understanding the identity and oligarchic trend of US administration,' added the professor. Turning to the new phase of discord among the senior military and political intellectuals of Bush administration over the US approach to Iran in recent weeks, he said that the delegation charged with Iraq studies headed by two senior American politicians representing other parties, upon return from its four-day visit to Iraq recommended Bush to hold talks with Iran on its nuclear issue and Iraq. 'Parallel to the visit of the US delegation to Iraq, revolt and objection of the retired senior officers of the US Army against the war policy of Bush administration got underway. 'They consider the US attack on Iraq, occupation of the country and the chaos caused by the continuous presence of US troops in the country as a new chapter in the US history similar to the Vietnam War, resulting in the defeat of Americans and the scandal of their withdrawal from there. Former US under-secretary of state Richard Lee Armitage recently said, 'Given the failure of Israel, which is the strongest army in the region, to overcome the Lebanese Hizbollah, no rush decision should be made in case of Iran with its population of 70 million and strategic position.' News sent 18 39 Thursday October 12, 2006 Print Related Sunday October 01, US economic sanctions have no impact on Iranians Speaker Back Next news Previous news Politic MP Iran's nuclear issue to be solved only through talks Revolt of American generals and call for US talk with Iran MP draft on taking fingerprints of US citizens still on Majlis agenda Swiss, Norwegian governments to facilitate Colombo-LTTE peace talks Interior minister Iran fully supports Palestine cause Diplomatic activities continue at Danish Embassy in Tehran Iran, Romania discuss mutual cooperation in CIT sector Iran's new nuclear proposal open to all companies envoy Mottaki Iranian nation enjoys special position in community of nations Iran not against Jews Iranian ambassador Go Top The article said that such events, including the revolt of a group of US generals against Washington's war policy in Iraq as well as the Middle East and the call of senior politicians from Democrat and Republican parties on President George Bush's government to hold talks with Iran, are quite unprecedented. In his article, Mowlana, Professor of International Relations from American University, Washington DC, said that the two developments are inter-connected, adding that they reflect the crisis of the US expansionist policy and the emergence of Iran's growing power in the Middle East. 'Besides, recent developments open a new vision to understanding the identity and oligarchic trend of US administration,' added the professor. Turning to the new phase of discord among the senior military and political intellectuals of Bush administration over the US approach to Iran in recent weeks, he said that the delegation charged with Iraq studies headed by two senior American politicians representing other parties, upon return from its four-day visit to Iraq recommended Bush to hold talks with Iran on its nuclear issue and Iraq. 'Parallel to the visit of the US delegation to Iraq, revolt and objection of the retired senior officers of the US Army against the war policy of Bush administration got underway. 'They consider the US attack on Iraq, occupation of the country and the chaos caused by the continuous presence of US troops in the country as a new chapter in the US history similar to the Vietnam War, resulting in the defeat of Americans and the scandal of their withdrawal from there. Former US under-secretary of state Richard Lee Armitage recently said, 'Given the failure of Israel, which is the strongest army in the region, to overcome the Lebanese Hizbollah, no rush decision should be made in case of Iran with its population of 70 million and strategic position.' News sent 18 39 Thursday October 12, 2006 Print Related Sunday October 01, US economic sanctions have no impact on Iranians Speaker Back Next news Previous news Politic MP Iran's nuclear issue to be solved only through talks Revolt of American generals and call for US talk with Iran MP draft on taking fingerprints of US citizens still on Majlis agenda Swiss, Norwegian governments to facilitate Colombo-LTTE peace talks Interior minister Iran fully supports Palestine cause Diplomatic activities continue at Danish Embassy in Tehran Iran, Romania discuss mutual cooperation in CIT sector Iran's new nuclear proposal open to all companies envoy Mottaki Iranian nation enjoys special position in community of nations Iran not against Jews Iranian ambassador Go Top

Muslim-Themed Products Mimic American Pop Culture Icons 10/12/2006 FOXnews.com Donaldson-Evans, Catherine	Return to Top
For Muslims wanting their fast food, soda and dolls infused with a little Islamic flair, Beurger King Muslim, Mecca-Cola and Fulla might be just the ticket. American pop culture icons such as Burger King, Coca-Cola and Barbie dolls have traditionally done well around the world, including in predominantly Muslim countries. But in recent years, entrepreneurs in Syria, Saudi Arabia, France and other nations with sizable Muslim populations have created their own comparable products, which closely resemble the originals but have an Islamic twist — making them more appealing and marketable to Muslims. "If you adapt products, as all cultures do, to the local conditions, with a slight change of name and slight difference in the way they appear, then these products sell," said Akbar Ahmed, the chair of Islamic Studies at American University in Washington, D.C. And with the worldwide Muslim population hovering around the 1.4 billion mark, selling merchandise directly to that demographic is a savvy move. "It's a potentially lucrative market," said Ahmed. Beurger King Muslim, or BKM, opened in the Paris suburb of Clichy-sous-Bois last summer with the look and feel of an American fast-food chain; it has the burgers, the fries and the shakes — and a name almost identical to its inspiration (the word "beur" is a French slang term for a second-generation North African living in France). But at Beurger King Muslim, all the meat is halal — prepared according to Islamic dietary rules — and many of the women working behind the counter wear hijabs, or Muslim headscarves. Mecca-Cola, created by French businessman Tawfik Mathlouthi in late 2002, comes in red-and-white cans and bottles much like the Real Thing. But its name is meant to catch the fancy of Muslim soda drinkers, and it has been marketed as an alternative soft drink for those who don't want to support American capitalism and politics by buying Coca-Cola. Fulla, made by the Syrian-based NewBoy Design Studio in November 2003, looks an awful lot like Barbie — only she has dark hair and eyes, comes dressed in traditional Muslim clothes like a hijab and an abaya (a long robe that covers the whole body) and is sold with a tiny pink prayer rug. Her founders say she symbolizes Muslim values like modesty and piety. "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery," Ahmed said. "We are talking about local cultures adapting to globalization." But the American companies whose products are being copied aren't always flattered. One of BKM's managers, Hakim Badaoui, told The New York Times last year that Burger King had contacted his restaurant, and attorneys for the two franchises were in discussions. When asked to comment for this story, a spokeswoman for Burger King said: "It's our understanding that that restaurant is no longer called Beurger King Muslim." She declined to elaborate, and that claim couldn't independently be confirmed. No one answered the telephone at BKM in Clichy-sous-Bois, France. A Coca-Cola spokeswoman said "[the] company welcomes free and fair competition in every market where we do business" when asked for a reaction to Mecca-Cola. But Coke had a different take after the Muslim cola was first introduced as an anti-American alternative beverage. Mecca's founder "identified a commercial opportunity which involves the exploitation in Europe of the difficult and complex situation in the Middle East. Ultimately it is the consumer who will make the decision," the BBC quoted the soda giant as saying in a statement in early 2003. Barbie maker Mattel, for its part, has been mum on Fulla. The company did not return repeated calls seeking comment. Pop culture expert Robert Thompson, a professor at Syracuse University, said such knockoffs with very specific demographics are nothing new. "This strikes me as business as usual," he said. "I can certainly see how Muslim companies would see the appeal of these products and adjust them to their own audience. It's a no-brainer." And with the rise in globalization — which has actually become synonymous with Americanization — there's even more of a market for these kinds of offshoots. Ahmed said that franchises like Burger King, Coke and Barbie have become symbols of the United States, and the Muslim-themed imitations have sprouted up in part as a reaction to that. "Right now, all the polls confirm that American popularity is the lowest it's ever been in the Muslim world," he said. "These outlets become a symbol of the antagonism or criticism of globalization and American culture. There is a reaction to globalization, and people are going back to their own culture." But as long as a lawsuit is avoided, it can be a smart business move for an entrepreneur to model a new product after an established one with a global presence. "The brand name is known, it's fashionable," Ahmed said. Creating a spinoff shows that "we're part of something that's cool and smart and allows us to connect to the rest of the world." And though there has been the arrogant perception in the past that other countries would jump at the chance for access to all things American, the current market suggests otherwise. "Once upon a time, we had this idea that all the world was drooling for American products," Thompson said. "But in many cases, places want to make products similar to those made in the U.S. but adjust them to the appetites of their own population."

Mimicking America 10/11/2006 FOXnews.com	Return to Top
For Muslims wanting their fast food, soda and dolls infused with a little Islamic flair, , Mecca-Cola and Fulla might be just the ticket. American pop culture icons such as , Coca-Cola and Barbie dolls have traditionally done well around the world, including in predominantly Muslim countries. But in recent years, entrepreneurs in Syria, Saudi Arabia, France and other nations with sizable Muslim populations have created their own comparable products, which closely resemble the originals but have an Islamic twist making them more appealing and marketable to Muslims. 'If you adapt products, as all cultures do, to the local conditions, with a slight change of name and slight difference in the way they appear, then these products sell,' said Akbar Ahmed, the chair of Islamic Studies at American University in Washington, D.C. And with the worldwide Muslim population hovering around the 1.4 billion mark, selling merchandise directly to that demographic is a savvy move. 'It's a potentially lucrative market,' said Ahmed. Beurger King Muslim, or BKM, opened in the Paris suburb of Clichy-sous-Bois last summer with the look and feel of an American fast-food chain; it has the burgers, the fries and the shakes and a name almost identical to its inspiration (the word 'beur' is a French slang term for a second-generation North African living in France). Related Background Past Stories But at Beurger King Muslim, all the meat is halal prepared according to Islamic dietary rules and many of the women working behind the counter wear hijabs, or Muslim headscarves. Mecca-Cola, created by French businessman Tawfik Mathlouthi in late 2002, comes in red-and-white cans and bottles much like the Real Thing. But its name is meant to catch the fancy of Muslim soda drinkers, and it has been marketed as an alternative soft drink for those who don't want to support American capitalism and politics by buying Coca-Cola. Fulla, made by the Syrian-based NewBoy Design Studio in November 2003, looks an awful lot like Barbie only she has dark hair and eyes, comes dressed in traditional Muslim clothes like a hijab and an abaya (a long robe that covers the whole body) and is sold with a tiny pink prayer rug. Her founders say she symbolizes Muslim values like modesty and piety. 'Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery,' Ahmed said. 'We are talking about local cultures adapting to globalization.' But the American companies whose products are being copied aren't always flattered. One of BKM's managers, Hakim Badaoui, told The New York Times last year that Burger King had contacted his restaurant, and attorneys for the two franchises were in discussions. When asked to comment for this story, a spokeswoman for Burger King said 'It's our understanding that that restaurant is no longer called Beurger King Muslim.' She declined to elaborate, and that claim couldn't independently be confirmed. No one answered the telephone at BKM in Clichy-sous-Bois, France. A Coca-Cola spokeswoman said '[the] company welcomes free and fair competition in every market where we do business' when asked for a reaction to Mecca-Cola. But Coke had a different reaction after the Muslim cola was first introduced as an anti-American alternative beverage. Mecca's founder 'identified a commercial opportunity which involves the exploitation in Europe of the difficult and complex situation in the Middle East. Ultimately it is the consumer who will make the decision,' the BBC quoted the soda giant as saying in a statement in early 2003. Barbie maker Mattel, for its part, has been mum on Fulla. The company did not return repeated calls seeking comment. Pop culture expert Robert Thompson, a professor at Syracuse University, said such knockoffs with very specific demographics are nothing new. 'This strikes me as business as usual,' he said. 'I can certainly see how Muslim companies would see the appeal of these products and adjust them to their own audience. It's a no-brainer.' And with the rise in globalization which has actually become synonymous with Americanization there's even more of a market for these kinds of offshoots. Ahmed said that franchises like Burger King, Coke and Barbie have become symbols of the United States, and the Muslim-themed imitations have sprouted up in part as a reaction to that. 'Right now, all the polls confirm that American popularity is the lowest it's ever been in the Muslim world,' he said. 'These outlets become a symbol of the antagonism or criticism of globalization and American culture. There is a reaction to globalization, and people are going back to their own culture.' But as long as a lawsuit is avoided, it can be a smart business move for an entrepreneur to model a new product after an established one with a global presence. 'The brand name is known, it's fashionable,' Ahmed said. Creating a spinoff shows that 'we're part of something that's cool and smart and allows us to connect to the rest of the world.' And though there has been the arrogant perception in the past that other countries would jump at the chance for access to all things American, the current market suggests otherwise. 'Once upon a time, we had this idea that all the world was drooling for American products,' Thompson said. 'But in many cases, places want to make products similar to those made in the U.S. but adjust them to the appetites of their own population.'

Judea Pearl and Akbar Ahmed's Interfaith Dialogues 10/11/2006 npr.org	Return to Top
Judea Pearl and Akbar Ahmed's Interfaith Dialogues Fresh Air from WHYY, October 10, 2006 Judea Pearl is the father of slain journalist Daniel Pearl and author of I am Jewish. Professor Akbar Ahmed teaches Islamic Studies at American University. The two are collaborating on a series of interfaith dialogues across the country and abroad. Daniel Pearl was kidnapped and murdered in Pakistan in 2002, while reporting on Islamic extremists. Judea Pearl is a professor at UCLA, and President of the Daniel Pearl Foundation. Akbar S. Ahmed is the author of Islam Under Siege.

Judea Pearl and Akbar Ahmed's Interfaith Dialogues 10/10/2006 Fresh Air - National Public Radio Nazareth, Monique	Return to Top
Judea Pearl is the father of slain journalist Daniel Pearl and author of I am Jewish. Professor Akbar Ahmed teaches Islamic Studies at American University. The two are collaborating on a series of interfaith dialogues across the country and abroad. Daniel Pearl was kidnapped and murdered in Pakistan in 2002, while reporting on Islamic extremists. Judea Pearl is a professor at UCLA, and President of the Daniel Pearl Foundation. Akbar S. Ahmed is the author of Islam Under Siege.

Mozart and Muslims 10/07/2006 Pakistan Link Ahmed, Akbar	Return to Top
Mozart and Muslims By Dr Akbar Ahmed Washington, DC Sept. 28, 2006 - The voluntary closing of the Deutsche Oper Berlin because of the anticipated sensitivities of Muslims hearing about their Prophets severed head assumes great symbolic significance in the age of globalization in which we live. Images, events and words--as we saw in the case of Pope Benedict a few days ago--have the capacity to inflame societies across the world in a matter of hours. Although I totally support free speech and freedom of _expression, and have been saying so publicly, all of us need to be sensitive to the culture and traditions of other faiths. I am not talking of a purely academic or idealistic discussion but the possibility of people losing their lives as a result of some perceived attack on faith made across the world. I believe that the lives lost and the properties destroyed--including mosques and churches--after the Danish cartoons controversy erupted could have been avoided had there been people of greater wisdom and compassion at the start of the crisis. The first crisis that acted as a catalyst in the context of our discussion was that of Salman Rushdies book The Satanic Verses. It appears that we did not learn any lessons from that controversy. The West continued to insist on freedom of _expressio