shameen

considers splitting its nuclear agency

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Toronto, September 12: Canada may divide its nuclear agency into two units in a bid to resolve the global shortage of medical isotopes, which are used for medical imaging to diagnose cancer and heart disease, Canada’s natural resources minister has said.

Lisa Raitt yesterday said the government would likely separate state-owned Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd into a research division that includes the medical isotopes reactor and another division for the pressurised heavy water reactors that generate electric power.

Biden meets Wu Bangguo of China

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Washington, September 12: US Vice President Joe Biden met the visiting Chairman of China’s National People’s Congress Wu Bangguo and discussed the relationship between the two countries, the White House has said.

During the meeting held Thursday, the two leaders emphasized the desire of both sides to strengthen cooperation and build a positive and comprehensive relationship, a statement from the White House said.

Biden also stressed the importance of increasing the frequency of exchanges between US and Chinese policymakers.

Gunman with grudge kills 2 in Michigan

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Owosso, September 12: A man carrying grudges against several people set off on a shooting spree Friday morning, authorities said, killing an abortion protester outside a high school because he didn’t like the activist holding a sign with graphic images of a fetus in front of students.

The gunman drove next to a gravel pit business and shot and killed the owner, who apparently also upset him, police said. Authorities believe they stopped a third slaying by catching up with the gunman before he could kill again.

Australia stops boat carrying 83 asylum seekers

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Sydney, September 12: A boat carrying 83 suspected asylum seekers was intercepted on Saturday off Australia’s northwest coast after being spotted from the air by a military patrol plane, officials said.

The vessel was spotted around midnight about 80 nautical miles south of Ashmore Island and initially appeared to be in distress, said Home Affairs Minister Brendan O’Connor.

“The people on board the vessel are safe and have indicated that they wish to come to Australia,” he said.

“Initial indications suggest 83 passengers and four crew are on board.”

Purification thru Zakat -Secret of Success in Aakhrat

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Hyderabad, September 12: Your nearest relatives have the first right over your Zakaat, says, Mufti Mohammed Abdul Mughni Mazaheb.

At Madrasa e Sabellul Falah,Hyderabad on 6th Sept 09 in Masjid e Mohammadi Dabeerpura during the weekly Quran study meet, the Mufti said, ‘ whatever thing is in most use is produced most profusely in Nature, like the water of the well, the more it is drawn the more it springs . The same way the meat of the animal most consumed is supplied in equal abundance’. It is the same with ones wealth.

Wakf properties safeguard – Govt. responsibility: CM

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Hyderabad, September 12 (Siasat News): The Chief Minister K. Roshaiah, at the press meet here in the Lake View Guest House said that the primary duty of the press was to bring to light the discrepancies of the System and bring them to the notice of the Authorities. He said the interests of the Minorities will be safeguarded and all the Policies of Reservations in Education and Employment for the Muslim Minorities and other welfare schemes started by the Late Chief Minister Dr. YS Rajashekhara Reddy will be continued without any hold ups.

White House stiffens against illegal immigrants

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Washington, September 12: The White House strengthened its stand against health care coverage for illegal immigrants Friday, and a pivotal Senate committee looked ready to follow its lead.

The developments reflected a renewed focus on the issue in the days since a Republican congressman’s outburst during President Barack Obama’s health care speech to Congress on Wednesday night. Republican Rep. Joe Wilson of South Carolina shouted “You lie!” as Obama said illegal immigrants wouldn’t be covered under his health plan.

Pak team to visit Colombo to probe attack on Lankan cricketers

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Islamabad, September 12: A high-power Pakistani investigation team will travel to Sri Lanka next week to probe reports that elements in the island nation were linked to the terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore, Interior Minister Rehman Malik said.

The team has already been constituted, Malik told a TV news channel yesterday. The Sri Lankan government has handed over some important clues that are being examined and these leads are expected to help nab the persons behind the attack, he said.

America must not ‘occupy’ Afghanistan: US Congresswoman

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Washington, September 12: Opposing any further increase in American troops’ number in Afghanistan, a top Congresswoman has said the US should not send the signal that it is “occupying” the war-ravaged country and sought “a clear exit strategy.”

Addressing the House of Representatives, Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey from California said that there are reports that Gen Stanley McChrystal, commander of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan, may ask for as many as 30,000 more soldiers, which would bring the American troop level to about 100,000.

Afghan journalist’s body left behind under heavy fire: NATO

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Kabul, September 12: British commandos who rescued a Western reporter from his Taliban kidnappers left behind his Afghan colleague’s body because they were coming under heavy fire from militants, NATO said on Saturday.

British-Irish journalist Stephen Farrell escaped unharmed in Wednesday’s dramatic airborne operation, but his colleague Sultan Munadi was killed in the crossfire. A British soldier and an Afghan woman and child also died.

Air India says no hike in its fares despite Jet strike

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Mumbai, September 12: Air India said on Saturday it has not hiked its fares or overcharged passengers in the wake of the agitation by Jet Airways’ pilots.

“Air India would live up to passengers’ expectations as a dependable carrier. We have not overcharged our passengers due to the Jet strike,” an Air India spokesperson said.

The airline is maintaining fares at normal level and there is no overcharging, the spokesperson said.

US stocks end week lower after five days of gains

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New York, September 12: US stocks edged lower Friday after five straight days of gains, signaling some lingering concerns about the economy among investors despite upbeat consumer confidence figures.

An index by the University of Michigan and Reuters found consumer confidence climbed to 70.2 in September from 65.7 in August, beating analysts’ expectations.

Financial shares were the top losers on the day. Bank of America and JPMorgan Chase led the declines.

China slams US tyre tariffs, threatens retaliation

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Beijing, September 12: Beijing lashed out at the US on Saturday after Washington slapped steep tariffs on imported Chinese tyres, calling the measure “protectionist” and threatening retaliation in China’s first trade spat with the Obama administration.

“China is firmly opposed to this measure of serious commercial protectionism by the United States, which not only violates world trade rules but also the undertakings given by the US at the G20,” commerce ministry spokesman Yao Jian said in statements posted on the ministry’s website.

Industry body asks Goa Govt to regain investor confidence

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Panaji, September 12: Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has said the state government should work on regaining the confidence of investors, which is lost due to agitations against various projects.

The government had decided to scrap approved as well as notified SEZs (due to protest). The information technology park, along with most other developmental activities, is facing stiff opposition from some quarters, GCCI president Cesar Menezes has said in a memorandum to Chief Minister Digamber Kamat.

Discovery lands in California after detour

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California, September 12: Space shuttle Discovery and its seven astronauts took a cross-country detour and landed safely in California on Friday after stormy weather prevented them from returning home to Florida for the second day in a row.

Discovery swooped through the sky and touched down at Edwards Air Force Base an hour before sunset, ending its delivery trip to the international space station.

“Welcome home, Discovery,” Mission Control radioed. “Congratulations on an extremely successful mission.”

Genes discovered to fight Multiple sclerosis

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Chicago, September 12: US researchers have discovered two genes associated with repairing the damaged central nervous systems of mice with multiple sclerosis, according to a study presented at a conference in Germany.

The findings offer new hope for developing more effective therapies and predicting the outcomes of how particular patients will respond to the debilitating disease.

Ajay Devgan whips himself black and blue in `London Dreams`

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Mumbai, September 12: When Ajay Devgan first heard he had to whip himself in “London Dreams”, he wasn`t comfortable with the idea. But after director Vipul Shah convinced him to do so, the actor went all out and flogged himself black and blue for hours to get a 25-second clip right.

EID SPECIAL: Sheer Korma

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Made of vermicelli, milk and nuts, this is a delectable dish and a real treat to the taste buds.

Ingredients

1 pack Vermicelli
1 gallon fresh whole milk
1 cup sugar
20 cloves whole cardamom pods
1/2-teaspoon cardamom powder
1 cup slivered almond, cashews and pistachios
1/2-cup fresh cream
1/2 teaspoon saffron strands
3 tablespoons charoli nuts
1/2-cup light brown raisins
1/2-teaspoon rose water
1-tablespoon butter

Procedure:

Rockets fired from Pakistan were Army-type: BSF

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Amritsar, September 12: Even as the Pakistani authorities on Saturday denied that any rockets were fired from their side into the Indian territory, paramilitary Border Security Force (BSF) officials here said that they were fully equipped to retaliate against any provocation from the neighbouring country.

Senior BSF officials, who inspected the spot and the rockets that were fired, said three 107 MM rockets were fired into India Friday night near the Attari-Wagah check post.

Al-Qaida Web sites down ahead of 9/11 anniversary

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Cairo, September 12: A U.S.-based group monitoring militant Web sites said Friday that jihadist forums have been experiencing technical problems on the eve of Sept. 11, finally going offline a day before the 8th anniversary of the al-Qaida attack on the U.S.

The SITE Intelligence Group said the same thing happened last year, promoting consternation in militant circles.

“As happened last year … top jihadist forums affiliated with al-Qaida began experiencing technical problems, culminating in their ultimate closure on September 10, 2009,” the group said in a statement.

Iranian proposal falls short of Western demands

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Vienna, September 12: Iran’s new offer for talks with six world powers ignores their key demand of a freeze of Tehran’s uranium enrichment program, according to a copy obtained by The Associated Press, and instead amounts to a manifesto calling for a new international order.

The five-page proposal, formally submitted Wednesday to the six nations trying to entice Iran to make nuclear concessions, says Tehran stands ready to “embark on comprehensive, all-encompassing and constructive negotiations.”

Appeals court dismisses Abu Ghraib lawsuit

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Washington, September 12: A federal appeals court on Friday dismissed a lawsuit claiming contractors for defense firm CACI International Inc. abused detainees at the notorious Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq.

In a 2-1 ruling, the D.C. Court of Appeals said the firm is protected by laws barring suits filed as the result of military activities during a time of war.

Over 200 Cases of Price Violations Filed

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Ajman, September 12: Well over 200 complaints have been filed against the fluctuations in commodity prices in Ajman, Shaikh Sultan bin Saqr Al Nuiaimi, Director of the Ministry of Economy (MoE) office in Ajman said.

Shaikh Sultan said that the majority of the complaints were filed against greedy traders who are charging higher prices compared to the other markets.

Since the beginning of the year, three shopping centres violated rules while three other shops were shut down for manipulating consumers by regularly increasing the prices without placing price tags on the products.

446 RCA Projects in 16 Countries

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Abu Dhabi, September 12: The Red Crescent Authority (RCA) has so far implemented 446 charity projects at a cost Dh54million in 16 countries.

The projects, including schools, clinics and commercial shops, received positive response from philanthropists in the UAE, who had donated generously for the projects.

The projects were carried out in Somalia, Yemen, Albania, Bosnia, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Afghanistan, Ghana, Thailand, Sudan, Togo, Pakistan, Niger, India, Senegal and Chad.

Police Film on Road Safety with ‘Formula-1’ Car

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Abu Dhabi, September 12: Abu Dhabi Police took on the role of filming for a road safety campaign on the roads in the Capital with the help of a look-alike Formula-1 car, on Friday.

The commercial is basically a campaign for motorists ahead of the historic Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, from October 30 to November 1.

The commercials will be telecast from the beginning of October 1 on different TV channels, websites, face-books, youtubes and twitters.