American recklessness led world to recession: Canada PM

In the first such attack by any western leader, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has blamed reckless American consumers and investors for leading the world into the current recession and said the marketplace is not the solution to the problems.
The prime minister of America's largest trading partner also found fault with President Barack Obama's stimulus package to kick-start the economy.
Speaking at a fundraising dinner in the capital Ottawa Thursday night, the prime minister said the Americans were reckless in believing that they could borrow without consequences.
The Conservative (party) prime minister said:'We are in a global recession principally - and we have to face this - because a lot of people on Wall Street, because of a lot of people in the private sector more generally - homeowners or consumers - pushed or bought into a very unconservative idea that they could live beyond their means.''
Harper, who was close to former president George Bush, said the Conservative philosophy of big-spending and big government was not to be blamed for the current crisis.
Harper said: 'Regulators may have failed to prevent it but, in the end, it was a failure of the private sector to live according to the values we as conservatives know to be true.''
Obliquely criticizing Obama's stimulus package which raises taxes on those earning more than $250,000, the prime minister said had the opposition party (Canada's Liberal Party which is close to the Democrats in America) been in power here, it too would have raised taxes.
Canada would also have witnessed what is happening 'in the States now,'' he said.
Harper said the welfare state was not the solution to all problems. 'We didn't believe it before the recession. We are not about to start believing it now. But neither can conservatives believe today that the marketplace - that which I call Wall Street - is the solution to all problems.''

Defiant Nawaz to continue with lawyers' march

The army was placed on alert here Saturday as a defiant opposition leader Nawaz Sharif turned down the government's plea to call off the lawyers long march for restoration of the Supreme Court judges sacked in 2007,saying there was no room left for talks.
In other developments Saturday, Information and Broadcasting Minister Sherry Rehman sent her resignation to Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani, apparently miffed over President Asif Ali Zardari's orders to blank out Geo Tv and other private channels for highlighting the lawyers stir.
At the moment, the police are in place but the army has been asked to stand by in case it is required,? an official spokesman said. The government has vowed to prevent the marchers from entering Islamabad and staging a sit-in before parliament.
Speaking to reporters at his home on the outskirts of Lahore, Sharif said he was all for reconciliation but was not prepared to take Zardari at his word. ?He had said earlier that he would not become the president but he did become so, Sharif pointed out. At the same time, he urged Gilani to take the initiative to break the deadlock, assuring him of his full support.
Thousands of lawyers Thursday set out simultaneously from Sindh, Balochistan and Punjab and will converge here March 16 to demand the reinstatement of the Supreme Court and the high court judges whom then president Pervez Musharraf had sacked after imposing an emergency in November 2007.
A similar agitation a year ago had resulted in Musharraf's ouster. Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has jumped on to the lawyers bandwagon to protest a Supreme Court judgement barring the former prime minister and his brother from contesting elections on corruption charges.
The verdict led to the fall of Shahbaz Sharif s Punjab government and the imposition of Governor's Rule in the province. Nawaz Sharif has accused Zardari of engineering the court verdict to settle political scores. Observers here saw Sharif s appeal to Gilani as an attempt to drive a wedge between the prime minister and the president, who are not known to be on the best of terms.
Interior Minister Rehman Khan, however, sought to dispel suggestions that all was not well between Zardari and Gilani, even as he appealed to the lawyers to come to the negotiating table, warning that the marchers would not be permitted to enter Islamabad. There are no differences between the president and the prime minister, he said at a press conference here, adding: This is disinformation being spread by our enemies. Let us not head toward another East Pakistan, he said, while appealing to the protesting lawyers to abandon their long march and sit for talks with the government.
The reference was to the agitation in the erstwhile East Pakistan after the 1971 elections that eventually led to the creation of an independent Bangladesh. The agitation began after then military dictator Gen. Yahya Khan refused to accept the electoral verdict that saw the Awami League of Sheikh Mujibur Rehman emerge as the largest party in the National Assembly, the lower house of parliament.
I appeal to you to come for talks. Please postpone your agitation. Your march is against the unity of the nation,? Rehman maintained. If at all there has to be a march, let us march to Swat, to FATA. Let us march for the country,? he stated. I again appeal to you. Please consider the interests of the country.
Don't march to Islamabad. Let's talk and resolve our issues, the interior minister said, adding: The long march cannot be against the interest of Pakistan.? Malik refused to be drawn into the circumstances under which Sherry Rehman had resigned, saying: ?Only she can answer that question.? He also contended that the government had nothing do with the blackout of TV channels.
There was a dispute regarding the channel. It was a problem of the cable operators. We had nothing to do with it. We believe in the freedom of journalism , Malik maintained. At the same time, he implied that the private TV channels were not ?independent?. ?I want you to watch five channels. Are they partial or are they impartial? he asked. Geo TV insisted Zardari had ordered the ban.
It has been learned that cable operators across the country blocked the transmission of Geo News on the directive of President Asif Ali Zardari, it said in a posting on its website. President Zardari has sent messages to Geo TV administration in which he has said that if Geo has recovered from the courts the losses incurred following the ban on the channel in former president Pervez Musharraf's rule then it should stop forthwith the coverage of lawyers movement for the restoration of November 3,2007 judiciary.
The reason why President Asif Ali Zardari has taken the step is that Geo TV is reminding the President of his past promises and commitments he had made to the nation and what Shaheed Benazir Bhutto had said about the freedom of expression, restoration of judiciary and Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry,? Geo TV said.

Kiwis avoid whitewash: Final match images

India opener Virender Sehwag hits during the fifth and final One-Day International against New Zealand in Hamilton on Saturday.

Stryis completes a stunning catch running behind at mid-off to dismiss Suresh Raina.

Jesse Ryder (right) celebrates with wicketkeeper Peter McGlashan after dismissing Yuvraj Singh.

Ryder then shone with the bat as he smashed a quickfire half-century

Martin Guptill also chipped in with an unbeaten 57 as New Zealand batsmen took full of the Indian bowlers.

India's Mahendra Singh Dhoni holds aloft the National Bank One-Day trophy after winning the series 3-1.

Indian team celebrate winning their first ever ODI series in New Zealand.

Dhoni apologises to fans for flop show

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni ,apologised to the fans for the disappointing end to an otherwise successful one-day series against New Zealand ,saying the team failed to maintain its high standard in Auckland on Saturday.
The eight wicket defeat in the fifth and final ODI could not prevent India from registering their first ever one-day series win in New Zealand but Dhoni had no qualms admitting that the team dished out a poor performance today.
"I would like to thank my team for playing good cricket through the series over the period of time but at the same time sorry to disappoint you guys in the last match. We could have done better," Dhoni said.
He also took the occasion to remind that the team played quality cricket in most of the matches and seemed optimistic that it can maintain the same standard in the three-match Test series starting March 18.
"We played good cricket and if we can do that in the Test series it will be great," Dhoni said.
His opposite number Daniel Vettori was relieved to have escaped a rout in the series and the Kiwi captain said he is now looking forward to the Test matches.
"We are looking forward to the Test series. Three-match series should be competitive and the guys are fired up," Vettori said.
Thanking the spectators for turning up in big numbers, Vettori said, "Thanks to the crowd for coming in, some of you still support us."
Man of the Match Jesse Ryder , who slammed a belligerent 63 and took three wickets as well, echoed his captain's view and said he is looking forward to extend his purple patch to the Test series against Dhoni's men.
"Things are going all right at the moment. The confidence is high. I am looking forward to play in the Test series and continue the same form," he said.
Ryder was involved in a spat with Indian pacer Ishant Sharma but the bulky left-hander played down the event.
"It didn't affect me in any way, was just part of the game," he said.

Terrorists may attack cricketers in India too: Nasim Ashraf

The attack on the Sri Lankan players in Lahore is part of a bigger conspiracy to isolate Pakistan in international cricket and if the terrorists succeed in their mission, they would carry out similar operations in India and other Asian countries, fears former Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Nasim Ashraf.
Ashraf said if Asian countries, particularly India, didn't support Pakistan cricket at this critical juncture, terrorists could also try to target cricket in their countries to scare away foreign teams and players.
"The attack on the Sri Lankan team in Lahore is clearly a part of a bigger conspiracy by elements to isolate Pakistan as a sporting nation. There is no guarantee that they will not target other Asian countries as well," said Ashraf who resigned as the PCB Chairman in August last year.
"If such elements succeed in their aim of turning Pakistan into a no-go country for foreign teams in terms of security, there is no guarantee they will not try to do the same with India as well and try to scare teams away from playing in India," he said.
Ashraf said it was imperative for India and other Asian countries to support Pakistan and ensure that the 2011 World Cup matches were not shifted out of the country.
"If India and other Asian countries stand by Pakistan cricket I have no doubt it will not be long before international cricket is revived in Pakistan but it will take at least 12 to 18 months for this to happen.
"I would advise the Pakistan board to concentrate on keeping their share of the World Cup matches and for this intense lobbying and a government diplomatic offensive is required," he said.
Ashraf said PCB must now start working with the International Cricket Council on preparing a uniform security plan which is acceptable to all countries.
"Pakistan needs to take steps to ease apprehensions about the security among other countries and India can play its role in helping Pakistan do this," he added.
He said despite the political tensions between India and Pakistan, it was necessary for both cricket boards to work together to ensure the subcontinent does not become a no-go area in international cricket.
Ashraf also called on the government to hold an impartial inquiry into the incident with the Sri Lankan team and spare no effort to bring the culprits to justice.
"And if security mistakes were made we must admit them and ensure they don't happen again," he added.

Satyam staff jittery about their future

Though four companies have formally announced that they have filed an expression of interest to acquire a majority stake in troubled Satyam Computer Services , several employees (or associates as they are termed) are jittery about their future.
On one hand, they feel the sale will help in restore the firm's past glory. On the other, they fear that life would be tougher in the new company. Notwithstanding management assurances that existing staff won't be retrenched after the takeover, several employees are understood to be hunting for openings elsewhere.
Satyam's chief executive officer, A S Murty, according to a team leader, has assured no dismissals for at least another six months. "However, insecurity continues, as rumours persist that somebody or other is resigning and an internal list of people to be removed is being prepared," she says.
In some cases, the associates are finding employment with the client company they are now working with. For instance, Satyam handled a project for Bank of America and some people who worked on the project are now part of BoA and have moved to the bank's Hitec City campus. There was a hike of about 15 per cent in their pay, compared to what Satyam gave while at BoA. "It is about continuity of work,'' says one associate who is parting with Satyam. He decided after much thinking.
Another associate informs about feelers from several colleagues about trying for a job in other companies. "There are opportunities for us, but we are waiting to see how the company will shape up in the days to come,'' he says, adding that hunting for opportunities outside is not seen as a sin. It all boils down to new clients coming and old clients renewing their contracts with Satyam. "The jobs of those in the delivery segment will stay,'' opines another employee.

Share power with Tamils, US tells Lanka

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has asked Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa to devise a political solution to the ongoing ethnic conflict in the country.
During a telephonic talk with the Sri Lankan President, Hillary also urged him to make sure that the Army does not fire into the civilian areas of the conflict zone.
"The Secretary stated that the Sri Lankan Army should not fire into the civilian areas of the conflict zone," the State Department Acting Deputy spokesman, Gordon Duguid, said in a statement. This was the first high-level contact between leaders of the two countries under the Administration.
Expressing deep concern over the deteriorating conditions and increasing loss of life due to the civil war in the northern parts of the country, Hillary offered immediate and post-conflict reconstruction assistance.
She also extended condolences to the victims of the March 10 bombing outside a mosque in southern Sri Lanka .
Hillary condemned the actions of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) who are reported to be holding civilians as human shields, and to have shot at civilians leaving LTTE areas of control.
The Secretary of State also asked Rajapaksa to give international humanitarian relief organizations full access to the conflict area and displaced persons camps, including screening centers.
"The United States believes that a durable and lasting peace will only be achieved through a political solution thataddresses the legitimate aspirations of all of Sri Lankas communities," Duguid said in a statement after the telephonecall between the two leaders.
"We call on the Sri Lankan Government to put forward a proposal now to engage Tamils who do not espouse violence orterrorism, and to develop power-sharing arrangements so that lasting peace and reconciliation can be achieved," he said.

Zardari fighting democracy, not terror: Sharif

Amid efforts to defuse the political crisis, former Pakistani premier Nawaz Sharif has attacked President Asif Ali Zardari for "fighting democracy" and blamed his actions for the unrest in the country.
"Zardari is fighting democracy. Rather than fighting terrorism, he is fighting democracy... I think he is wasting his efforts on a futile exercise," Sharif said adding, it was a matter of time before the power of the people brought about a change in Pakistan.
"It is the actions of Zardari which triggered off this unrest in the country. Who is then responsible for destabilisation?" the two-time former premier told Dawn News channel in an interview.
Sharif, whose PML-N is backing the long march launched by the lawyers' movement to pressure Zardari's ruling PPP to reinstate judges sacked during the 2007 emergency, said he was not trying to bring down the government.
"I am not trying to dislodge the government at all," he said adding, the PML-N wants to "restore the rule of law and to reinstate the judges who stood against" former military ruler Pervez Musharraf added.
Zardari has been buckling under intense domestic and international pressure to bring to an end the political turmoil in the country.
Zardari was ready "in principle" to end Governor's Rule in Punjab, imposed on February 25 after the Supreme Court barred PML-N leaders Nawaz and Shahbaz Sharif from holding elected office, Dawn News channel had quoted official sources as saying yesterday.
Holding the President and not the PPP responsible for the unrest and political crisis in Pakistan, Sharif said he hoped that "sense prevails on Zardari and he rectifies all the wrongs that have been done".
He said people's power would bring about a change in Pakistan and this could happen within a few days or a few years.Sharif said he was not aware of any package being worked on by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani for reconciliation between the PML-N and PPP.
Appreciating the role played by the Prime Minister, he said Gilani should either convince Zardari to change things or "take his own decisions".
Sharif and his brother, former Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, have accused Zardari of influencing a Supreme Court order last month that barred them from contesting polls and holding elected office.
Following the court's verdict, Zardari imposed Governor's Rule in Punjab, which was ruled by the PML-N. The party then decided to back the lawyers' long march that is scheduled to culminate with a sit-in near parliament on March 16.

BJP distrusts its allies, states CIA document

In a stunningly damning stricture on the Bhartiya Janata Party, a declassified United States Central Intelligence Agency document says the party distrusts the allies, uses them just to have an access to power and ignores them while making the high-profile policy moves.Though the document is a decade old, dating back to May 29, 1998, it explains the way the allies in the National Democratic Alliance are engaged in hard bargains on the alliance for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
The document, written by a Delhi-based CIA operative, also shows the BJP in bad light on the nuclear issue. Sent much before famed Jaswant Singh-Strobe Talbott talks began, it says India, under the BJP, was ready to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. The communication reads: "In our judgment, India is trying to goad the United States into making an attractive offer on CTBT, without tipping its own hand.
"Titled "BJP flexing muscles, but how far will it go?", the document refers to the nuclear test conducted by the party to enhance its domestic political standing and says the decision to test was tightly held for reasons of secrecy, "but the BJP also has a history of ignoring its political allies when considering high-profile policymove."It points out that the BJP has handled its state-level alliances in this way, "reasoning that partners who depend on BJP strength for their seats at the table should take a backseat on decision-making.
"This and other sensational secret communications of the world's foremost espionage agency to top officials from 1951 to 2001 that became public because of a recent Presidential executive order are published in noted journalist Anuj Dhar's book "CIA's Eye on South Asia,". The book carries all such secret reports in full, of course with lines and paras "redacted" and so mentioned in the declassified documents.
An earlier secret communication on April 13, 1998, also discusses "BJP without Vajpayee" and says "it is also uncertain whether a new moderate leader could generate comparable support to challenge the influence of the hardliner factions."
The report puts former minister Jaswant Singh in the moderate camp and points out how Lal Krishna Advani's hardline camp was then dominating Vajpayee's small moderate camp. Former minister Murli Manohar Joshi falls in the category of extremists in the report.Describing former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee as "Lone Wolf or a Wolf in Sheep's clothing," the communication said: "Although his political roots lie in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh -- the party's chauvinist parent organisation -- the statesman like Vajpayee has long reassured US officials that he would champion a moderate agenda."It describes BJP as "the only party in India besides the Congress with enough clout to drive key decisions even when not in the government;" and further talks about of the US depending on it as it was in a position to take some decision on Pakistan.
"The BJP's strong nationalist and security credentials might allow it to make concessions that other Indian parties---fearing accusations of being soft on Pakistan---have been unwilling to consider," the report added.Pointing out how the party's softening of its nationalist image to build mass appeal "has confused Western observers about its true intent on issues such as nuclear proliferation and relations with Pakistan," the communication said, adding that BJPs' approach on these subjects could swing from cooperative to antagonistic, depending on its resolution of disputes between hardline and moderate factions.
On foreign policy, another CIA report paints negative image of India's handling of its smaller neighbours. "India insists on dealing with each of its neighbors on a bilateral basis---a form of divide and rule. This policy enables New Delhi to enjoy the benefits of its size and power without the risk of being chastised or outvoted at multilateral regional meetings."
"With the possible exception of Pakistan, all of the smaller states recognise they are defenceless against India and depend on their own diplomatic skills and Indian good will for stable relations," the report added.

India fail to break into top two

The Auckland defeat hurt; a Kiwis whitewash could well have taken India (62.96) to the second place in the Rediff ODI Rankings.
The 3-1 away victory however does take India well past New Zealand (58.10).
South Africa (65.78) and Australia (64.19) continue to battle for the top place. Come April we will know who are the real ODI champions.
Table A shows the current ODI rankings.

The corresponding Reliance Mobile ICC ODI rankings (as on March 14, 2009) are South Africa (125), Australia (124), India (122), New Zealand (112), Pakistan (111), England (108), Sri Lanka (105), West Indies (91), Bangladesh (46) and Zimbabwe (23).
The Rediff rankings match the ICC rankings this time; only Sri Lanka and England exchange places.
Details
The Rediff ODI rating, now published regularly over the last seven years, is a judicious combination of every team's weighted index (WI) and tournament index (TI).
The WI, based on the most recent ODI encounters between every pair of teams as shown in Table B, is essentially a weighted average that considers the 'opposition strength' (because wins against strong opponents must be rewarded more) and the 'home-away-neutral' factors (because teams usually win more at home, and lose more playing 'away').
The TI factors in a team's performance in tournaments and series (and thereby seeks to better reward wins in 'big' matches).

Third Front not to project any PM candidate: CPI

Bhubaneswar: The Third Front, launched by eight political parties on Thursday, will not project any leader as its prime ministerial candidate, the Communist Party of India (CPI) said Friday.
"The Third Front will not project anyone as its prime ministerial candidate," CPI general secretary A.B. Bardhan told reporters here, adding that the issue will be taken up only after the elections.
Eight political parties launched the Third Front at a jointy rally at Tumkur, Karnataka, Thursday.The Revolutionary Socialist Party and the Forward Bloc, which are constituents of the ruling Left Front in West Bengal, did not join the Third Front launch.

Kayani not in favour of 'coup' in Pakistan, says Mullen

The United States has ruled out a military coup in Pakistan in the wake of the political chaos saying Army Chief General Ashfaq Kayani is a staunch supporter of democracy and doesn't want to take over like his predecessor Pervez Musharraf did in 1999.
The Chairman of the U.S Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael Mullen however suggested he tried to calm Kayani quite a number of times when the army chief reportedly expressed anger over the way Pakistan's political establishment was behaving.
"I have had 10 interactions with Kayani. He wants to do the right thing for Pakistan. But he is in a very tough spot," Mullen said in an interview with PBS news.
"There is not a high probability right now the political crisis will provoke Pakistani military to intervene," Mullen said, adding "Kayani is committed to a civilian government and doesnt wish to stage a coup as done by his predecessor general Pervez Musharraf in 1999."
Expressing serious concerns over the turn of events in Pakistan, Mullen said the US officials were keeping a close eye on opposition protests in Pakistan.
"The situation continues to deteriorate very slowly under a political leadership which is very challenged because of the totality of the crisis," Mullen said.

India replies to Pak's queries on Mumbai attacks

New Delhi: India on Friday handed over to Pakistan the replies to the 30 questions, about the terror attack on Mumbai in November last year, posed by that country. External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee handed over India' reply to Pakistan High Commissioner Sahid Malik.
Earlier, Home Minister P Chidambaram had handed over the document along with evidence to Mukherjee. He had added that each and every question posed by Islamabad had been answered adequately.
"We have put together answers to the 30 questions submitted by Pakistan. It is a very comprehensive document, answering each of the 30 questions," he told reporters after emerging from a meeting with Mukherjee.
Chidambaram said the answers are supported by documentary proof, CDs and forensic evidence, which are adequate for anyone to pursue investigations into the attacks.
"If Pakistan is serious about investigating the origins of the horrific crime in Mumbai, these answers provide solid basis. We expect Pakistan to take the investigation forward quickly," he said.
Chidambaram said there is 'enough material' for anyone wishing to bring the perpetrators of the Mumbai attacks to justice.
"We expect Pakistan to take investigations forward quickly, apprehend all the culprits and either hand them over to India for prosecution and punishment or prosecute them and punish them in Pakistan," the Home Minister said.
Pakistan, in response to the Indian dossier of evidence on 26/11 given on January 5, had sought more information on February 12.
In its questionnaire, Pakistan had sought fingerprints and DNA profiles of all the 10 terrorists who carried out the attacks.
Islamabad had also sought post-mortem reports of the nine slain terrorists and their detailed description and information as provided by Kasab. Pakistan had requested for 'authenticated copy'" of the confessional statement of lone captured terrorist Ajmal Amir Kasab as recorded by judicial authorities and 'other documentation/diaries recovered from his possession'.
It had also sought mobile numbers used by Kasab in the past, if he had disclosed these during interrogation.
Pakistan's queries also include a request for 'authentic forensic analysis reports of mobile/satellite phones and... any other evidence establishing connectivity and communication of the terrorists with militants based abroad, along with identifying particulars'.
Pakistan had sought 'detailed transcripts of conversation amongst the terrorists'" and 'with their handlers' during the attack. It also sought logs of cell phone interceptions.
Besides, the request includes handing over of voice recordings of Abu Hamza and Kahfa, who were identified as 'handlers' by Kasab, and other technical information.
There were also two questions seeking the forensic analysis of the Thuraya satellite phone and cellular phones used by the 10 terrorists who carried out the attacks.
Pakistan also sought details of the interrogation of two Indian nationals arrested on the charge of providing mobile phone SIMs to the terrorists involved in the Mumbai attacks.
It had also sought clarity on the GPS data provided by India in its dossier to identify the 'launching area' of the terrorist, saying "certain ambiguities have been noticed in the information already provided".
The Pakistani document said the lack of 'date stamps' on some of the GPS data is "creating doubt whether these points are authentic".

Zardari to lift Governor's rule in Punjab: Pak media

Islamabad: Buckling under intense domestic and international pressure, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday decided to lift Governor's rule in Punjab and allow the main opposition PML-N to form government in the politically-crucial province, local media reports said.
This came after the beleaguered Zardari was put on notice by the US, which reportedly gave him a 24-hour ultimatum to ease the simmering political crisis in Pakistan amid speculation that a deal brokered by Washington and the UK in consultation with the Pakistan army had been conveyed to the government.
After holding back-to-back meetings with Premier Yousuf Raza Gilani and army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Zardari was ready "in principle" to end Governor's Rule in Punjab, imposed on February 25 after the Supreme Court barred PML-N leaders Nawaz and Shahbaz Sharif from holding elected office, Dawn News channel quoted official sources as saying.
However, there was no official word on the development.

Inflation falls to over six-yr low of 2.43%

Inflation fell to a six-year-low of 2.43% for the week ended February 28 from 3.03% in the previous week, raising possibilities of further rate cuts. Analysts expect it to reach 0% by the end of this month. Lower prices of food items and manufactured products resulted in a fall in the inflation.
"Wholesale price index (WPI)-based inflation is now at its lowest level since June 2002, This is on the expected lines. It was during last February and March that inflation increased. The prices of commodities, primarily oil and foodgrains, have moderated," said Pronab Sen, chief statistician of India and secretary, ministry of statistics and programme implementation.
Inflation is now below Reserve Bank of India (RBI's) target of 3% by this fiscal-end. The fall in inflation has also raised hopes of further rate cuts by the Reserve Bank of India to spur the economy as industrial output contracted to 0.5%, for the second month in a row in January 2009. The RBI could cut policy rates by 50 basis points ahead of the general elections starting in mid-April, HSBC said in a note on Thursday. With a decline in the commodity prices, fiscal policies eased resulting in interest rate cuts, domestic activity should remain resilient, HSBC said. The RBI slashed its short-term lending and borrowing rates by 50 basis points each last week.
Inflation for the week ended January 3, 2009, was revised upward to 5.33% from 5.24% in the provisional estimates.
The 30-share BSE Sensex (^BSESN : 8756.61 +412.86) ended up 2.25% at 8,343.75 points and the 50-share NSE (^NSEI : 2719.25 +101.8) Nifty ended up 1.72% at 2,617.45 points, as investors tried to catch up with the upward movement on Wall Street on Tuesday and Wednesday. The 10-year bond yield ended at 7.17%, above Monday's close of 6.84% as investors braced up for heavy supplies of government debt. The rupee ended at 51.88/90 per dollar, from Monday's close of 51.85/87, and off an intra-day peak of 51.525, as a rise in share prices was offset by renewed dollar buying by crude refiners after a rebound in global oil prices.
Primary articles' prices decreased to 5.8% for the week ended February 28 from 6% in the earlier week, the finance ministry said in a statement. In food articles, inflation remained stable at 8.3% in the current and previous weeks, but sub-groups such as fruits and vegetables, condiments and spices and other food articles have recorded an increase in prices compared to last week.
In non-food articles, inflation fell to 1.3% compared to 1.7% in the previous week. Fuel and power group prices continued to decline at 5.1% vis- -vis 4% last week. Manufactured products' inflation rate decreased to 4% in the current week, from 4.5% last week.

Aircel to invest Rs 1,000 crore in Andhra Pradesh in 2009

Telecom player Aircel Ltd will invest Rs 1,000 crore in Andhra Pradesh by December 2009, as part of its $5 billion pan-India expansion plan spread over the next three to five years.
Gurdeep Singh, CEO, Aricel, which is part of the Maxis Communications Berhad, Malaysia and Apollo Hospitals group, said that Rs 500 crore has already been invested as part of the first phase of expansion in Andhra Pradesh. The rest will be invested by the end of this year, he said, while announcing the launch of the company's GSM services in the state. Aircel is also in talks with other cell phone operators to offer bundled services, he said.
"We currently have a national subscriber base of 17 million. About 10 million are in Tamil Nadu and the rest is split between the 11 circles including those in the north-eastern part of the country. We expect this to grow to 30 million by 2009-end," said Singh. He said that the company is looking to expand its presence to 18 circles by next April and achieve a double digit market share nationally in the next three years, from the present 5%.
Singh said that the investment of Rs 1,000 crore in Andhra Pradesh will be used to build base stations, install switches and intelligent network, create a data centre and set up offices, besides enhancing retail presence.
The initial phase of expansion, targeted for completion by May, envisions 450 stations for Hyderabad and Secunderabad. This will be scaled up to 1,000 base stations, covering all major cities like Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Warangal and Kadapa, in the ensuing 60 days, and touch 2,000 stations by the year-end.
The number of self-service kiosks will be increased from four to 20 during the same time, said Singh.
Expansion essentials
and#149; The investment is part of Aircel's $5 billion pan-India expansion plan spread over 3-5 years
and#149; The amount will be used to build base stations, install switches, create a data centre and enhance retail presence
and#149; Aircel aims to set up 2,000 stations in AP by the year-end

LandT, Mahindra, Spice in race for Satyam

Larsen and Toubro (LandT), Tech Mahindra and the Spice group on Thursday submitted expressions of interest (EoI) to participate in the bidding process to acquire a 51% stake in Satyam Computer Services Another major contender, the Hinduja group, backed out from the bidding process for reasons it did not disclose. Capgemini, Europe's largest computer consultancy, also said it has no interest in buying a stake in the troubled IT company. The deadline for submitting an EoI ended at 5 pm on Thursday.
Satyam's government-appointed board is keen to bring in a majority investor to restore the confidence in the company of its 50,000-strong staff and more than 600 customers, which include General Electric and Qantas Airways. Though the company was hit by India's biggest corporate scandal, its top clientele and staff talent are seen as attractive to potential bidders. However, the class action suits in the US still hang like a Damocles' sword over the company, with estimated liabilities of $400 to $800 million, according to Spice group legal advisors.
The Satyam board is meeting on Friday in Hyderabad to scrutinise the EoIs.
Engineering and construction major LandT, seen as a frontrunner, has a 12% stake in Satyam. It had bought 4% stake in Satyam as a strategic investment before the IT firm's chairman Ramalinga Raju confessed to a Rs 7,000-crore fraud. When Satyam shares tanked on news of the fraud, the LandT management came under severe criticism for the mark-to-market losses of up to Rs 450 crore on the share purchase. The company then publicly expressed its intention to buy Satyam, and subsequently scaled up its stake to 12%. "We have already put in our expression of interest," said the LandT spokesperson, when contacted by FE.
Although LandT has an IT services subsidiary and is keen to acquire Satyam for a larger IT play, the lion's share of its Rs 35,000-crore turnover (FY 2008) comes from its engineering and services business. It launched the IT business primarily to stem the attrition of talent from the engineering business to other IT companies, according to its chairman and managing director AM Naik. LandT Infotech is not listed, but Naik, had in an interview with FE earlier said Infotech figures in the Nasscom top 10 list and would have revenues of close to Rs 2,500 crore in FY 2009. He had said the company was targeting a profit of Rs 300 crore in FY 09. Though LandT is a respected company with sound financials, the disadvantage is that its IT business has never been in the limelight compared to the other bidder, Tech Mahindra.
Tech Mahindra, which was earlier called Mahindra British Telecom, was formed in 1986 and has been providing services and solutions primarily to the telecom sector. In 2006, it was renamed and listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange . Part of the over Rs 30,000-crore Mahindra group, Tech Mahindra had revenues of Rs 1,132.2 crore in Q3, with a net profit of Rs 223 crore.
The company, over-dependent on revenues from British Telecom, has of late been scouting for big businesses outside BT. In line with the process set out by the Satyam board, Tech Mahindra said it has registered its interest in taking part in the bidding process. However, earlier in the week, when the announcement for submission of EoI was made, the company said that it would put in an EoI only after getting a clearer picture of Satyam's financial status. "Once we have received the RFP (request for proposal) and other information, we will evaluate and conclude on next steps," said the company in a statement.
BK Modi-led Spice Corporation, with annual revenues of around Rs 20,000 crore, has also said right from the beginning that it is in the race for Satyam. Spice has two BPO arms, Bharat BPO and Omnia, with around 7,000 people, which they plan to scale up to 15,000 in the next two years. The group has formed a seven-member team to take an investment decision on Satyam. The team comprises DR Mehta, former Sebi chairman, KN Memani, former country manager, Ernst and Young, KL Chug, former chairman of ITC group, and four others. "We have appointed the US-based law firm Gibson Dunn and Crutcher to assess the liabilities of Satyam," commented BK Modi, chairman, Spice group.
At the same time the Hinduja group,which was widely expected to participate in the bidding process, has backed out. "After careful consideration, we have decided not to participate in the bidding process. As the sale has begun, I would not like to give any reason for our decision," commented Prabal Banerjee, group CFO, Hinduja group.
As per the bidding process, each interested bidder would be sent a RFP and asked to submit a detailed EoI together with the proof of availability of at least Rs 1,500 crore funds by March 20, 2009.
Based on the EoIs, eligible bidders will be short-listed and given access to certain business, financial and legal diligence materials relating to the company provided they have executed a non-disclosure and non-solicitation agreement, a stand-still agreement and a 'no-claims' undertaking. After completion of the due diligence process and execution of the pre-financial bid documents, all short-listed bidders will be asked to submit their financial bids and an executed copy of the share subscription agreement.
Upon evaluation of the bids, the company will select the successful bidder, which will have four days to deposit with the company the entire subscription amount and the requisite funds for the a public offer in an escrow account.

Bharti shares dip after Kohli sells

Shares of the country's largest telecom company, Bharti Airtel ,fell 6.37% on Thursday to close at Rs 550 on the BSE after it was disclosed that CEO and joint MD Manoj Kohli had sold 1.23 lakh shares of the firm in two open market transactions on March 6 and 9. Bharti's market cap has eroded 15.18% since March 9, shaving Rs 15,861 crore off investors' wealth.
While Kohli cited personal reasons for selling his shares, which fetched Rs 7.24 crore, a statement issued by Bharti Airtel after market hours announced major restructuring at the top. Sanjay Kapoor was elevated from the post of president (mobile services) to the newly created post of deputy CEO. He, however, will continue to report to Kohli. "I am happy to confirm that I continue as CEO and joint MD," Kohli said.
Atul Bindal, who headed the telemedia business, will now take over as president (mobile services) and K Srinivas, hitherto ED-East (mobile services) and who oversaw the Sri Lanka operations, will take over as joint president, telemedia services. They will now report to Sanjay Kapoor instead of Kohli, which was the case earlier.
Bharti has been one of the best performers on the stock markets despite the crippling October-December quarter, wherein most companies posted massive losses. Bharti's net profit was up 25% at Rs 2,159 crore, while revenues were up 38% at Rs 9,633 crore. But on Thursday, it was the worst performer on the BSE, on a day when the Sensex rose 2.25%.
Later, speaking with FE, Kohli said he was amused by the market reaction to his share sale and rumours that he was exiting the company. He refused to be drawn into the speculation that has surrounded the timing of his sale. "I am a middle class guy. (The sale)is for a personal reason and only my wife can interfere in such decisions," Kohli said.
While Kohli is understood to share an excellent rapport with group chairman and CEO Sunil Mittal, analysts were surprised by both the need for him to sell company shares to raise money, as well as the timing. While there are no restrictions on a CEO selling shares in his company, any such move invariably creates jitters among investors.
"The market is worried," confirmed Taurus Asset Management MD RK Gupta.
But Kohli said any speculation that he was quitting the company was baseless. "I still hold more stake in the company than I have sold. I still have 1.8 lakh options in the company, some of which are vested with me and the balance would be vested by 2010," he said, adding: "I am totally committed to my job... there's no question of exiting from the company," he asserted.
In 2005, Mittal sold 0.15% of his stake in the company to raise Rs 60 crore. Akhil Gupta, an old-timer in the group and also deputy CEO, is believed to have sold some of his shares a few years ago.
In a disclosure to the ,Bharti said Kohli sold 70,000 shares in the company on March 9. Estimated on the basis of the closing price of the company at Rs 587.75 on March 9, the value of the transaction is Rs 4.11 crore. On March 6, Kohli sold 53,000 shares valued at Rs 3.13 crore.

Formula 1: Force India 10th in tests

Force India's Giancarlo Fisichella clocked a best of one minute, 21.045 as the Formula 1 team stepped up the pace with other drivers during the motorsports test session at the 4.655-km Circuit de Catalunya.
Veteran Rubens Barrichello delivered a blazing 1:18.926 for Brawn GP Thursday as the official winter F1 test session concluded here.
Fisichella felt he could have gone even quicker had he attempted a flier earlier in the day when he felt the track was at its 'peak'.
Fisichella, who had done a 1:21.545 Wednesday, ended up 10th quickest among 11 drivers on view, including world champion Lewis Hamilton of McLaren who was eighth at 1:20.869.
The morning session was delayed by fog and Fisichella spent much of the pre-lunch period conducting set-up work. In the afternoon, he got into his stride, covering a race distance while completing a total of 141 laps.
Reflecting on his performance, Fisichella said: 'It's been a good day with 141 laps. We went in the right direction with some set-up work and the car was very reliable so we could really start to work on the balance. It's not so bad; we just could do with some more aero grip.
'We didn't do the best lap time when the circuit was at its peak in the morning, otherwise we could have improved the time, perhaps a 20.5, but overall I feel comfortable. It's quite encouraging. We now know where we need to improve.'
Summing up the team's eight-day winter test session at Jerez last week and here, technical director James Key said: 'It was a very good conclusion to the eight days of testing. Over the week we have completed more than 2,000 km and have a very strong basis to start the season. We don't have any major concerns and the car is now very reliable so we can really start to look at areas that will improve performance.
'Giancarlo ran a second race distance without any issues and tried both tyre compounds. In more representative temperatures today, they behaved very well and seemed to be good over longer runs. The drivers seem to be happy and, with this in mind, we can concentrate on seeking out the improvements that will move us forward.'
In second spot on the time charts was Nico Rosberg (Williams) in 1:19.774, followed by Timo Glock of Toyota (1:20.091).
The 17-round 2009 Formula season commences in Melbourne with the Australian Grand Prix March 27-29.

Home Ministry seeks fresh schedule for IPL

The high-profile Indian Premier League ran into rough weather today with the Home Ministry saying that it may not be feasible to hold matches as per the existing schedule and asked the organisers to re-work the dates.
The organisers have been advised to accommodate the concerns of various state governments and draw a revised schedule and submit it to the Home Ministry.
After weeks of suspense on the fate of the cash-rich Twenty20 event, the latest directive from the Home Ministry has put a question mark on the tournament although IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi said that it was willing to submit a new schedule.
Following a video conference between senior officials of the seven states holding IPL matches and Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta, the Home Ministry came out with a statement saying that it may not be feasible to hold matches as per the revised schedule submitted by the IPL on March 7.
"IPL organisers have been advised to accommodate the concerns of various state governments and draw up a revised schedule and submit the same to the MHA," the statement said.

Dhoni's men determined to wrap up the series on a high

With the series already in their pocket, India may opt to rest some of their key players as they go into the fifth and final one-dayer against a demoralised New Zealand here tomorrow, hoping to finish it off on a winning note.
The Indians have already taken an invincible 3-0 lead in the five match series and will be keen to try out their reserve players for the inconsequential game at the Eden Park.
Sachin Tendulkar, who sat out of the last game because of an abdomen injury, is likely to be rested for the match so that he is fully fit for the Test series beginning March 18.
While things have gone favourably for the Indians, the Kiwis have only pride to play for as they desperately need to salvage a win to convince the home fans of their limited-overs potential, especially after recording six consecutive series wins at home.
However, India coach Gary Kirsten has already made it clear that he is no mood to take the game lightly and would like to carry forward the momentum of the ODI series to the three upcoming Tests.
"It is important to maintain momentum and win games of cricket. That might require us to use our best combination. We also need to be mindful of the fact that it might be an opportunity to rest one or two players. We just have to weigh up what we want to do but we haven't decided yet," Kirsten said.

US Senator wants bill to discourage outsourcing

A US Senator on Thursday announced his intention to introduce a bill in the Senate aimed at discouraging American companies from moving jobs offshore.
A draft legislation in this regard was circulated among the Senators on Thursday by the Democratic Senator Max Baucus, who is Chairman of the powerful Senate Finance Committee. The bill also seeks to detect, deter and discourage offshore tax evasion by US companies.
In a statement, Baucus said the bill discourages businesses from moving offshore by closing a loophole in the existing legislation that results in employers in offshore tax havens avoiding payment of Social Security taxes on workers.
The draft bill proposes to modify a 2008 Heroes Act provision requiring treating as American employers any offshore entity that hires workers to perform services pursuant to a government contract.
Baucus's proposal defines an employee as anyone providing at least 100 hours of service a month, to prevent offshore employers from sidestepping the rule by calling workers "independent contractors" instead of "employees".
Baucus said he is hopeful that circulating this preliminary draft will spark interest and help the bill gain support from his colleagues.

ANI6yr-old Indian-American boy's IQ is greater than that of Einstein

An Indian-American boy has an IQ greater than that of Albert Einstein at the tender age of six.
Pranav Veera has an IQ of 176, while Einstein's IQ was believed to be about 160.
The little boy can recite the names of the U.S. presidents in the order they served in office, and is able to say the alphabet backward.
Given a date back to 2000, Pranav can even tell which day of the week that was.
He is highly competitive at playing Wii video games, and likes to play outside.
Pranav's parents have revealed that he seemed unusually intelligent while playing with alphabet sets, when the boy was just four-and-a-half years old.
He could even recall which letters were certain colours, they say.
"That kind of puzzled us. You have to have not a normal memorization, but some other means of recall," the Chicago Sun-Times quoted his father Prasad Veera as saying.
The little boy's mother, Suchitra Veera, has revealed that he presently loves all kinds of alphabets.
"He loves to collect them, like different colors, different sizes, different materials," she said.
Pranav's parents decided to have his IQ tested at Powers Educational Services in Hyde Park three months ago
"I said, 'Let's try it out, because he seems to do a lot of stuff kind of not quite normal for his age. He tested 176," his father said.
Pranav's teacher Marci Taylor, at McCormick Elementary in the Milford School District, calls him "an amazing child".
"He knows so much, yet he's probably more excited about learning than any child I've ever seen. He shakes with excitement," she said.
What she finds impressive about Pranav is the fact that he knows so many incredible things at the age of 6.
"He loves to go play at recess and climb on the monkey bars," Taylor said.
When asked what he wants to be when he grows up, Pranav says: "An astronaut."

Sachin kidnap plot: HUJI militant confessed voluntarily

The prosecution today told a Delhi court that a Pakistan-based Harkat-ul-jehadi Islami (HUJI) terrorist, who along with five others are accused of plotting to kidnap cricketers Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly, had voluntarily recorded his confessional statement. "Arshad Khan was neither threatened nor coerced to make the self-inflicting confessional statement before M S Upadhye, the then Deputy Commissioner of Police, under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA)," Chief Public Prosecutor Anita Hooda told Additional Sessions Judge Pinki.
Arshad, a native of Multan in Pakistan, had confessed that he, along with others, had come to India to kidnap the cricketers and bargain the release of two terrorists of HUJI who were then lodged in Tihar and a Rajasthan Jail. To buttress her arguments, the prosecutor referred to the testimonies of Upadhye, the then DCP, and V K Maheshwari, the then Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate who had examined Arshad after he made the confessional statement.
"The ACMM, who recorded his testimony as 13th prosecution witness in the case, was told by the accused that he had voluntarily made the statement and no policemen tortured and forced him to make it," Hooda said. The HUJI men wanted kidnap Tendulkar and Ganguly to ensure the release of its members, Nasarullah Langrial and Abdul Rahim, then lodged in Indian jails.

Cong, Trinamool reach seat-sharing accord in Bengal

New Delhi: Congress and Trinamool Congress on Wednesday reached a seat-sharing accord for Lok Sabha polls in West Bengal to put up a joint fight against the state's ruling Left Front, a day after the Mamata Banerjee-led party had served a 48-hour ultimatum for the agreement to be clinched.

Capping weeks of hard bargaining, Congress finally accepted Trinamool Congress' seat-sharing formula and will contest 14 of the 42 seats while Trinamool Congress would be in fray in 28."The alliance has been finalized. Congress will contest in 14 seats", senior Congress leader Kesava Rao told PTI here this evening.

He said a formal announcement about the seat-sharing agreement would take place any moment.Sukhendu Sekhar Roy, an emissary of WBPCC president and External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, met TC chief Mamata Banerjee at her south Kolkata office to convey Congress' decision to accept her party's seat-sharing formula.

Roy said he met Banerjee on behalf of Mukherjee to convey the PCC chief's best wishes to her "to give leadership to the important political fight (Lok Sabha poll) and beyond." Banerjee had yesterday given the ultimatum to Congress to communicate its decision on seat-sharing accord proposed by TC between the two parties.

She said TC will contest 28 seats leaving 14 to Congress. Congress had reservations about TC's seat-sharing formula on the ground that some of the seats offered by Mamata Banerjee-led party were "difficult to win" being in strongholds of CPI(M).

The seat-sharing deal of 28 seats to be contested by Trinamool Congress and 14 by Congress was first agreed to at a meeting between Mukherjee Rao, AICC in-charge of the state, on March one.While issuing the ultimatum, Banerjee had said "we have been waiting for ten days and we cannot wait forever.

There is a limit. If Congress is sincerely interested in alliance to defeat the CPI(M), they must inform us within a day or two." She had also said that TC was "ready for any situation. If there is an alliance it is okay otherwise we will fight on our own".

At the March one meeting, Mukherjee had asked her to give five seats to Congress in South Bengal and nine in North Bengal, the TC supremo had said adding Congress was given seats like Bankura, Arambagh, Jhargram, Bolpur, Purulia, Burdwan-Durgapur."These are all winnable seats.

Had we contested these seats, we would have done well but in the interest of the alliance, we left the seats for Congress," she said.She also said that in the 2004 Lok Sabha poll, when the performance of Trinamool, then an NDA ally, was its worst, Congress had won six seats and came second in two.

Crisis brewing in Pakistan worries US

Washington: Amidst deepening political crisis in Pakistan, the United States on Wednesday conceded that it is a difficult situation in Pakistan but said that Washington supports freedom of speech and expression.
As reports of massive crackdown, arrest and detention of the opposition leaders supporting the march came out, the State Department asserted that it supports freedom of speech, expression and assembly in Pakistan.State Department's Acting spokesman Robert Wood told media persons at his daily press briefing that the US stand has been that it supports freedom of speech, of expression, and of assembly in Pakistan.
"What we think is important is that the various parties try to resolve their differences within the political system of Pakistan in accordance with its constitution with respect for the rule of law," Wood said.With stakes very high, the Obama Administration would closely monitor the situation.
"But at this point, we want to see all parties refrain from violence and act in accordance, as I said, with Pakistan's constitution," Wood said."What we want to see happen on the ground in Pakistan is that the opposition parties, the government act in accordance with Pak constitution. As long as the various parties are refraining from violence, acting in accordance with the rule of law, that's what we'd want to see happen," Wood said.
When asked why the US is not condemning the crackdown on opposition leaders by the Zardari government and the restriction imposed on assembly, the State Department spokesman said: "I've said to you about what our views are with regard to freedom of expression and assembly. That's pretty clear.
But it's important that all of the parties, as I've said, act in accordance with Pakistan's laws, the Constitution, and resolve these differences that they may have within the political sphere and not use violence."Despite repeated questions from reporters, Wood also refrained to give a direct reply in "yes or no" if the US would like to have reinstatement of the judges dismissed by former President Pervez Musharraf .
"That is something that's going to have to be determined by the Pakistanis in accordance with their laws and their constitution. I can't go beyond that," Wood said.Asked if this new position be interpreted as support for the Zardari government, he said: "I wouldn't give you that interpretation.
What I'm saying is there's a difficult political situation on the ground in Pakistan. What we don't want to see is further violence. We want to see the rule of law respected. We want to see freedom of expression and assembly carried out. And that's where we are."

LTTE's finance wing head killed in fighting, say officials

Colombo: The Tamil Tiger rebels' finance wing head Subarathnam Selvatureiy has been killed in Sri Lanka's northeastern Mullaitivu district where the government troops and the rebels were locked in heavy fighting, the defence ministry said Wednesday.
The ministry said Selvatureiy, alias Thamilendi, was killed in fighting east of Puthukkudiyiruppu in Mullaitivu district Tuesday. "Thamilendi was a high profile LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) leader and handled the group's bank accounts, tax collection and other matters related to finance," it said.
The military said it was in the final phase of recapturing the LTTE's last stronghold, about 40 sq km in Mullaitivu district. The ministry in a separate report said Wednesday that the troops retrieved aircraft parts belonging to the LTTE in search operations in former rebel held areas.
It said the troops "uncovered a stock of aircraft spare parts, including aircraft tyres, batteries, engine parts and several other accessories, kept buried by Tigers in oil barrels in northern Puthukkudiyiruppu".

Manmohan, Obama may meet at G-20 summit

Washington: The US and India are both hoping that President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh would meet on the sidelines of next month's summit of Group of 20 leading economies in London.

"We both hope there would be a meeting between the two leaders," Indian Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon said at a press conference here Wednesday after concluding the first high-level interaction with the new Obama administration.

"We are looking forward to it," he said, provided the prime minister, who is recovering from heart surgery, is permitted by his doctors to visit London. Menon said Secretary of State Hillary Clinton too had expressed her desire to visit India soon.

Refuting suggestions that the Obama administration was ignoring India, he said there was no question of anyone ignoring India, for obviously everyone he had met had strongly supported the India-US relatioship.

"Both sides are satisfied that so much has been done and want to do much more, moving forward rapidly," Menon said pointing to the keenness for a meeting between Obama and Manmohan Singh and Clinton's desire to visit India.

The upcoming G-20 meeting provides an opportunity to address the global economic crisis. It also makes India-US cooperation on the issue more significant, he said.

Talking Point: Pakistan may go to polls soon

confrontation is looming between the Pakistan government and Opposition leader Nawaz Sharif, who is bent on leading a countrywide "long march" to press for the restoration of a sacked judge. Protests have been banned in Punjab and Sindh and scores of political workers and leaders have been detained. Reports say an arrest warrant has been issued against cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan and a senior PML-N leader has been arrested. Pakistan's Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar, CNN's Stan Grant and Senior Diplomat K C Singh came on CNN-IBN's India on 9 to discuss the political turbulence that has taken over Pakistan. Here is a transcript of the chat.
CNN-IBN: There are rumours that a change in the Pakistani government is imminent?
Stan Grant: There have been a lot of rumours, speculation and misinformation. The tensions have been high here for some time now. Ever since PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif was ruled ineligible by the Supreme Court to stand for the electoral office we have seen a very tense political stand, particularly between Nawaz Sharif and President Zardari.
CNN-IBN: Is there an indication that there could be a meeting point as far as the Nawaz Sharif scam and the Zardari government is concerened? Is there a possibility of the reinstatement of the former Chief Justice?
Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar: There is always the possibility of discussuions on various issues. So one really can't close all chapters between the two parties. As far as the Chief Justice is concerened, it's a matter of concern for Nawaz Sharif as he had promised his voters that he will get him reinstated. But we had not promised that to our voters. We did not get the votes on the basis that we will get the Chief Justice reinstated. This is an internal issue between the ruling PPP and Nawaz Sharif.
CNN-IBN: Are you in talks with Nawaz Sharif or any members of his camp?
Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar: Because we are collegues and there are always channels open, someone or the other will be talking to the senior members of Nawaz Sharif's party.
CNN-IBN: Isn't it true that the reason Justice Iftikar Chaudhary cannot be reinstated is because he is likely to strike down the National Reconciliation Order (NRO) by former president Musharraf that allowed President Zardari to return to Pakistan?
Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar: I think if there is any decision taken by the cabinet, that is in fact the decision of the cabinet and there is no law that can over rule that cabinet's decision.
CNN-IBN: How worried are you that this Long March could get out of control?
Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar: As far as the Long March is concerned, every party has the right to organise a march as long as it's not going to be violent. But if they want to act on certain points which are not allowed, then things could get difficult.
CNN-IBN: President Zardari is in Iran and is likely to be back soon. When is he expected back? There are also reports that he's been asked to stay out of the country?
Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar: Whoever has said that President Zardari should stay out of the country is not a friend of Pakistan. President Zardari went out of Pakistan to attend the summit and he is expected back on Wednesday night.
CNN-IBN: Reports say Pakistan's army chief has said to President Zardari that this political mess must be brought under control?
Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar: This isn't true. The army chief is a citizen fo Pakistan and he believes in democracy.
CNN-IBN: A lot of people are saying that Pakistan has come full circle with the crackdown?
Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar: We have no intention of arresting people the way it was done before. We have gone through the period of Nawaz Sharif and the way arrests were made in that period so it will be best to discuss this issue later.
CNN-IBN: Many would point out that political turbulence is common that it is in essence an internal matter of Pakistan. Should India worry?
K C Singh: We should not worry. But certainly we should be concerned and observe of what is happening there. Overall there is a lot of exaggeration which has come about in the media and otherwise. The basic stake holders in Pakistan are trying to redefine the area in which they cooperate and how they cooperate. The clash was inevitable, the question was not whether or not it will take place but 'when' will it take place. And the 'when' came with the Supreme Court judgement which cut the Sharif brothers completely out of power. The only solution possible is for President Zardari to maybe have his wings clipped.
Zardari and Prime Minister Gilani's relationship has always been tense. Gilani's statements have generally been supportive of the army. I think there is some redefining of relationships taking place. However, the only spolier can be in the struggle on the streets which will start from Thursday till March 16. If the violence gets out of hand that may percipitate action. Adjustments have to take place and Nawaz Sharif is really pushing for that adjusment.
CNN-IBN: President Zardari is fighting the war on many fronts. There is speculation that we can hear the sounds of the booths?
K C Singh: I agree with Nawaz Sharif. He realises that the army is on its back foot, it's just gone back to the cantonement, it can't come in and that is why he's putting the pressure from the street. He knows there is no possibility of a direct confrontation with the army. General Kayani is certainly exerting pressure on the government to find a solution. The only hurdle to a solution is the President himself. He has to cut a deal with Nawaz Sharif, and this won't be possible till they go to elections again. There will be another election as this is an incomplete set of mandate. I don't think all this can be sorted - including the judiciary issue - till another election.

Zardari returns to Pak, convenes emergency meet

New Delhi: President Asif Ali Zardari has returned to Islamabad from Tehran, where he was on a state visit, following complete breakdown of law and order in his country.
He has convened an emergency meeting with Prime Minister Gilani, top PML-Q leaders as well as the Governor of Punjab, Salman Tahsir. The meeting is being held at the Presidency.
The main topics of discussion are the Governor's rule - which was imposed in PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif's stronghold in Punjab - as well as the Long March which lawyers, aided by Nawaz Sharif are planning on March 16. The march has been organised for the reinstatement of the Supreme Court judges who were sacked by former president Musharraf in 2007.
"We don't want governor's rule to be prolonged in Punjab province," Gilani had said earlier, while addressing senators in remarks seen at variance with the position taken by Zardari.
The trigger of the rally Nawaz Sharif held in the North West Frontier Province's Abbotabad on Wednesday was an overnight crackdown on politicians and lawyers across Pakistan.
Raids were conducted and senior PML-N leaders were arrested. Even Tehrik-e-Insaaf chief Imran khan wasn't spared. The intention was to halt the Long March by lawyers on Thursday for an independent judiciary.
The issue of election of Chairman Senate will also reportedly be brought up during discussion.
Sources say that the Prime Minister will also apprise the President of his meeting with the Chief of Army Staff, General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani, on Wednesday. Kayani had called on Prime Minister Gilani reportedly suggesting a possible General Kayani plus Gilani plus Nawaz Sharif alliance designed to reduce Zardari to a footnote.
However, the real cause for General Kayani's concern may lie beyond the politicians squabbles.
Zardari's clumsy attempts to line up his own favourites among the generals for key posts as corps commanders is known to Kayani. He has already been warned to perform or perish by the General. If Zardari persists on the collision course with the military, the result is foretold for no civilian has ever triumphed over the military in Pakistan's history.

No army takeover of Pakistan: Sharif

Amidst political turmoil in Pakistan, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday dismissed reports of an army takeover of the troubled country once again.
Sharif, who has urged the masses to defy a government clampdown and join a nationwide protest, said the "chances of army takeover is absolutely nil".
Army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani met with Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani , according to a press release from the premier's office. It gave no details of their discussion.
The meeting comes at a time when President Asif Ali Zardari was on a visit to Iran.
In 1999, then army chief General Pervez Musharraf seized the power from premier Sharif in a bloodless coup.
Despite a crackdown on the Pakistan Muslim League (N) workers and lawyers, a defiant Sharif told CNN-IBN news channel that his party will go ahead with its long march.
Asked if the deepening political crisis will open the door for the US to intervene, Sharif said: "there is absolutely no need for international intervention and we are capable of restoring order in our house."

Pak dismisses reports of Zardari delaying his return

Pakistan government on Wednesday dismissed reports in a section of media that President Asif Ali Zardari intended to travel to Dubai from Tehran, where he is attending a regional summit, because of a brewing political crisis in the country.
Presidential spokesperson Farhatullah Babar contradicted media reports about Zardari going to Dubai from Tehran, where he is participating in a summit of the Economic Cooperation Organisation, instead of returning to Islamabad .
"The reports of his staying in Dubai and postponing his return to Islamabad are absolutely false, mischievous and seem deliberately designed to cause confusion," Babar said in a statement.
Zardari is scheduled to return to Pakistan at the end of his two-day visit of Iran, he said. "There is no change in the President's scheduled return to Islamabad," Babar added.
The ruling Pakistan People's Party, which is headed by Zardari, has been engaged in a tense stand-off with the main opposition PML-N since the Supreme Court last month barred PML-N leaders Nawaz and Shahbaz Sharif from contesting polls and holding elected office. Following the verdict, Zardari imposed Governor's Rule in Punjab province, which was ruled by the PML-N.
Matters came to a head after the PML-N threw its weight behind a "long march" to Islamabad by the lawyers' movement to press for the reinstatement of judges sacked during the 2007 emergency. The march will begin from several places on Thursday.
The government has said it is determined to prevent the protestors from entering the capital. It has also said former premier Nawaz Sharif's call for a rebellion against the government amounted to sedition, an act that can be punished with life imprisonment.
Authorities on Tuesday launched a crackdown on opposition political activists and lawyers, detaining hundreds of people as part of efforts to thwart the long march, which is scheduled to culminate with a sit-in outside Parliament.

Sehwag stars as Dhoni's men create history in New Zealand

Hamilton: Virender Sehwag sped to a century from 60 balls, the seventh fastest in limited-overs international history, as India beat New Zealand by 10 wickets in a rain-reduced contest on Wednesday to clinch the series with a match to spare.

Sehwag's hundred was the fastest by an Indian batsman in one day internationals, beating Mohammad Azharuddin's 62-ball effort against New Zealand at Baroda 21 years ago, and helped clinched India's first win in a limited-overs series in New Zealand.

Sehwag finished 125 not out from 74 ball and Gautam Gambhir was 63 not out as India reached 201 without loss in 23.3 overs, replying to New Zealand's 270 from 47 overs in a rain-affected match. India's unbroken opening partnership was the largest to win a match in one-day international history.

"I love it," Sehwag said. "I know how the pitches behave here. I played here also in 2003 and scored two hundreds that time."

"This time the pitches are so flat and good to bat on."

Sehwag blasted 14 fours and six sixes in an innings which, around three rain interruptions, occupied only 139 minutes. He rushed to a half century from 31 balls and helped India reached 100 in 54 minutes from 69 balls.

Sehwag passed his century in 87 minutes with 13 fours and four sixes, adding his second 50 from only 29 balls.

Two rain interruptions during New Zealand's innings left them facing only 47 overs and they seemed to have achieved a competitive total of 270 for five.

Brendon McCullum made 77 in an opening partnership of 102 with Jesse Ryder (46) then, after a middle order collapse which saw five wickets fall for 73 runs, Peter McGlashan and Grant Elliott added 95 from 61 balls in an unbeaten stand for the sixth wicket.

McGlashan made 56 not out, his maiden international half century, and Elliott 35 not out in a stand which gave New Zealand some hope of arresting India's domination of the series.

India began chasing 280 from 47 overs under Duckworth-Lewis calculations, then 262 off 43 overs and, finally, 220 off 36 as their chase was twice revised after rain interruptions. They were well ahead of New Zealand on Duckworth-Lewis comparisons when rain finally ended the match in the 24th over, shortly after 9 pm.

"It was a good old fashioned hiding," New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori said. "We didn't really get ourselves in the game. We were a little bit short on the runs and then Sehwag and Gambhir played outstandingly to take the game away from us."

Vettori said New Zealand needed to win the fifth and final match of the series in Auckland on Saturday -- a match which is already sold out -- for "our own credibility and our own peace of mind".

Indian captain MS Dhoni was delighted that India had won so comprehensively in its first run chase of the series.

"It was amazing to see the way Sehwag and Gambhir batted," he said. "They took calculated risks. They targetted a few bowlers to go after and I think that's the key. We wanted to play our natural cricket and that's what they were doing."

"They were rotating the strike, chipping the boundaries and in between Sehwag was at his best."

India won two of the first three matches heading into Wednesday's match and the other was washed out.

Halle Berry is sexiest black woman alive

American actress Halle Berry has been named the sexiest black woman alive in a new US TV poll.

The Oscar winner beat Tyra Banks, Alicia Keys and Jada Pinkett Smith in TV One Access' poll, which was aired in the US.

Rihanna, Iman, Janet Jackson and actresses Joy Bryant, Gabrielle Union and Kerry Washington were also in the list.

Madoff faces 150-year sentence after guilty plea

Washington: Bernard Madoff, whose $50-billion fraud devastated individual and institutional investors worldwide, could spend the rest of his life in prison after pleading guilty later this week.
In a court hearing Tuesday, defence lawyer Ira Sorkin said that Madoff would plead guilty Thursday in federal court in New York. The news confirmed recent reports that Madoff was expected to enter a guilty plea.
At the hearing, Assistant US Attorney Marc Litt said that Madoff faces 11 criminal counts including securities fraud, mail fraud, wire fraud, three counts of money laundering and filing false statements with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Litt said that Madoff faces up to 150 years in prison on the charges under federal sentencing guidelines, The Wall Street Journal reported online.
The focus of Tuesday's hearings was a separate issue, involving whether Sorkin had a conflict of interest in the case because of the lawyer's late father's investments in Madoff's firm.
Madoff, who was in the courtroom, waived the possible conflict of interest with his lawyer, meaning his case can go forward with Sorkin as his legal advocate.
Madoff, 70, is under house arrest at his Upper East Side Manhattan home on $10 million bail. His wife, who has taken a separate lawyer, is claiming that tens of millions of dollars in her name cannot be touched to pay victims of the swindle.
Madoff was arrested in December for allegedly running a $50-billion Ponzi scheme - a pyramid racket where people paid into fake investments.
Instead, the money from new investors was used to pay handsome dividends to earlier investors. At the end of November, Madoff's fake balance sheets showed $64.8 billion in holdings from 4,800 clients. Prosecutors were convinced that he had collaborators who helped him falsify the documents sent regularly to his clients, but charges have not been filed against anyone other than Madoff.
Prosecutors are claiming damages of $170 billion from Madoff's assets.
Despite several questions and tips about Madoff's operations since he started the fund in the 1970s, the SEC, which regulates financial markets, failed to pursue an investigation. Critics say his background as former chairman of Nasdaq, the high-tech stock market, won him the sort of insider credibility that fended off such probes.
Congress has grilled SEC officials over their failure to halt Madoff's scheme, which started unravelling in December as investors hard-pressed by the global recession tried to pry loose their money from Madoff.
Under the pressure of Wall Street's massive selloff late last year, Madoff, a leading trader on the New York exchange for 50 years, told his senior employees that the part of his business which served individual clients was a fraud and he was "finished". He was turned in to federal agents by his sons for running what they said he called a giant "Ponzi scheme".
At least one suicide is blamed on the unravelling of the scheme. Rene-Thierry Magon de la Villehuchet, 65, a founder of the hedge fund Access International Advisors, was found dead in December in the New York offices of a $1.4-billion Luxembourg-based hedge fund that was heavily invested in the soured Madoff firm.
Spanish, French, Austrian and British investment firms and banks have suffered billions of dollars in losses, piled on top of sharply lower asset values amid the global recession.
Top entertainment personalities have been hit hard. Actress Zsa Zsa Gabor, 91, and her ninth husband, Frederic von Anhalt, who is in his 60s, lost as much as $10 million, her attorney has confirmed.
The list also includes director Steven Spielberg, DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc chief executive Jeffrey Katzenberg, and actor Kevin Bacon.
The Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles lost $18 million.

IMF chief warns world entering 'Great Recession'

Paris: The global economy will shrink this year as the world enters "a Great Recession,'' the head of the International Monetary Fund said on Tuesday.
Speaking in a taped interview with French television channel France 24, Dominique Strauss-Kahn said economic data has worsened since January, when the IMF forecast global growth in gross domestic product of 0.5 percent this year.
"Since then the news hasn't been good,'' Strauss-Kahn said. "I think that we can now say that we've entered a Great Recession.''
Strauss-Kahn didn't make a precise forecast for global economic decline this year.
"This recession can last a long time,'' Strauss-Kahn added, "unless the policies we're expecting are put in place, in which case 2010 can be a year of return to growth.''
The World Bank said on Sunday that the global economy will shrink this year for the first time since World War II and that the global financial crisis will make it tougher for poor and developing nations to access needed financing.
Trade is forecast to fall to its lowest point in 80 years in 2009, as economic hardship ripples across the globe, the bank said. The most drastic trade slowdowns are expected in East Asia, where growth had been robust, the bank said in a paper prepared for a meeting of finance ministers and central bank officials this week.
The ramifications of the growing financial crisis on the world's poorest nations will likely remain for some time, the bank said. Because richer nations are borrowing more, developing nations are being squeezed out and many financial organizations that have provided financing to lower-income countries ``have virtually disappeared.''
In Europe, the European Central Bank has forecast a 2.2-3.2 percent fall and in gross domestic product over 2009 in the 16 countries that share the euro.
The euro-zone economy contracted by a record 1.5 percent in the last three months of 2008, dropping even more sharply than in the U.S as collapsing world trade hit the region's export-rich economies, figures showed last month.
The drop in output for the fourth quarter compared to the third was the biggest since the euro was created in 1999 and the third quarterly fall in a row.

'26\11 attacks show growing ability of LeT'

Washington: The Mumbai carnage shows the growing striking capabilities of terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Tayiba and its ability to direct and execute terror attacks inside India, a senior US intelligence official said on Wednesday.
The statement by Lt General Michael Maples, Director, Defence Intelligence Agency of the US Army, in his testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee comes a day after the State Department said Pakistan needs to do more in bringing the perpetrators of the Mumbai terrorist attack to justice.
Besides raising Indo-Pak tensions, the targeting of foreign nationals and Jewish interests, as well as the coordination and complexity of the operation, marked a departure from previous attacks and raised concerns in the region, Maples said.In his remarks during the hearing Senator Harry Reid, the Senate Majority Leader, said LeT is essentially a creation of ISI to conduct operations in Kashmir.
"So its relationship to the Pakistan intelligence service is very disturbing," Reid said. "It (LeT) conducted the operations in Mumbai, but some have suggested that it poses a much, much broader threat, because of its ability to operate fairly openly in Pakistan because of its connections to many Pakistani nationals who reside outside of Pakistan in Europe and even in the United States," Reid said.
Dennis Blair, National Intelligence Director, who also testified before the Senate Committee agreed with the observation. "Its long ties as being a means to hit India over the Kashmir issue give it strong roots. The ISI or Pakistan government has changed its policy towards Lashkar-e-Tayiba partially, but it has not become a force for good in Pakistan or in the region," Blair said.
"I don't assess that it is replacing Al-Qaeda as a worldwide terrorist directed against Western American interests or shares the Al-Qaeda messianic ideology of a greater pan Islamic state and driving the conservative Muslim governments from power," Blair observed.
"I think it's much more directed than that, but it certainly has the capability and can still carry out acts which are against American interests," he said.Responding to Senator Reed's queries, Maples said: "Saeed, who's the leader of LeT, does have a belief in the establishment of fundamentalist Islamic states and it has been very involved in Afghanistan with that as an intended purpose."
"So and while there is still the focus on Kashmir, a focus on India, there's also a focus in the other region and -- and I think that that fundamentalism is an issue that makes LeT a real concern to us because I think they -- they do have ambitions beyond that," Maples said."I don't know that they have reached the level of another Al-Qaeda or replacement for Al-Qaeda but I think that beliefs are very similar in nature.
I'd also believe that the Pakistani government, as the Director (Blair) has said, has distanced themselves from LeT in a statement -- some very significant actions in the recent past towards the organisation," he said.Responding to another question from Senator McCaskill, Blair said the action after the Mumbai bombing, in particular, has been greater from Pakistan's point of view than many previous ones.
"As you know, leaders of Lashkar-e-Tayiba were arrested, and Pakistan has undertaken to prosecute them. It has asked for India to provide the evidence that could be used in such a prosecution. The United States is involved in trying to work with both sides in order to -- in order to make that happen," he said."So, I think that particular trend is positive, but it has a ways to go and it's not a simple progress," Blair said.

We will proceed with nuclear deal, US assures India

Washington: The new Obama Administration on Wednesday assured India that it will proceed with the landmark Indo-US nuclear deal, signed during George W Bush's tenure, and said the two countries needed to ramp up cooperation in counter-terrorism and global issues such as climate change.
State department officials gave the assurance to Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon, who is on a four-day official visit.
Menon on Monday met Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and discussed the nuclear deal, counter-terrorism cooperation, bilateral issues, Sri Lankan conflict and bringing the situation under control in war-torn Afghanistan.
During his talks with Under-Secretary for Political Affairs William Burns on Wednesday, Menon discussed the landmark civil nuclear deal and other bilateral issues.
During his meeting with the Secretary of State, Clinton told Menon that the two countries needed to ramp up their cooperation in bilateral and global issues including climate change and counter-terrorism.
"The Indo-US civilian nuclear deal, its current status and the way forward too was discussed during the meeting (between Menon and Clinton)," State Department Acting Spokesman Robert Wood told reporters.
"I think there was a bit of a discussion on the additional protocol that was just worked out with the IAEA," Wood said.

Pak headed for political showdown as Nawaz remains defiant

Islamabad: Pakistan on Wednesday headed for a political showdown as opposition leader Nawaz Sharif vowed to defy restrictions and go ahead with his planned massive 'Long March' onto the capital tomorrow, even as authorities arrested hundreds of politicians and activists to thwart the protests.
"We want to change the outdated system and in the next seven or even in three days, we may change the destiny of Pakistan," a defiant Sharif thundered at a rally in Abbottabad in the NWFP.
Police and security agencies carried out massive raids and arrests of lawyers, political leaders and activists in an overnight swoop which was continuing. They outlawed demonstrations in the capital as well as in the provinces of Punjab and Sindh, through which the rally is to proceed.
Top Opposition leaders, including PML-N Chairman Raja Zafrul Haq, were put under house arrest.
Cricketer-turned- politician Imran Khan, who heads the Tehrik-e-Insaf party, went into hiding to elude the security personnel who went to arrest him.So did the countless other eminent lawyers and political leaders.
Against the backdrop of the looming political confrontation, army chief General Pervez Kayani met Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to discuss the situation.
Official sources told private TV news channels that Kayani and Gilani discussed internal security situation and political issues. The meeting comes at a time when President Asif Ali Zardari is out of the country attending a summit meeting of the Economic Cooperation Organisation in Tehran. Government also moved to refute media reports that Zardari was going to UAE and might not be present when the opposition march to press for reinstatement of judges sacked during the 2007 emergency takes place.
A political meltdown at this time, media reports have warned, could lead to some form of intervention by the country's powerful military, which has often stepped in to seize power when there is a political chaos.
The political confrontation in the country comes even as Islamabad is grappling with a surge in terror attacks and trying to fix an ailing economy which is afloat only, thanks to international donors.
Putting this points across, Sharif declared "I cannot rest when Pakistan is being taken on a disastrous course." "We cannot compromise when all institutions are being ruined and the system is on the verge of collapse," the former Premier said.
Addressing thousands of his supporters, he told them that the country was in crossroads and it was time to defy restrictions to save the country.

Afghanistan preparing in Pakistan

A deadly attack on the Sri Lankan team's convoy at Lahore last week that sent shockwaves around the cricket world has not perturbed at least one team with World Cup aspirations from traveling to Pakistan.
The national team from neighboring Afghanistan has been quietly practicing in the capital of North West Frontier Province at Peshawar since March 5, selecting it as an alternate venue last week after gunmen ambushed a convoy taking officials and Sri Lankan players to a test match in Lahore, killing six police officers and a driver.
"We were supposed to train in Lahore but after whatever happened there last week, we immediately shifted the training camp to Peshawar," Afghanistan cricket coach and former Pakistan test bowler Kabir Khan told The Associated Press on Wednesday.
Six Sri Lankan cricketers and an assistant coach sustained injuries in the ambush, but none were life-threatening. The team was evacuated immediately and the test series against Pakistan _ the first in 14 months on Pakistani soil _ was canceled.
Reaction from around the globe suggested it will be a long time before any top-flight cricket team tours Pakistan again, with even the country's status as co-host of the 2011 World Cup in doubt.
That the Afghan team feels more safe in Peshawar than Lahore speaks volumes.
Peshawar is one of the most dangerous cities in Pakistan. It lies next to the tribal border area between the two countries and is regularly hit by suicide bombers. Afghanistan's ambassador designate to Pakistan was kidnapped there last year and remains captive.
The Afghanistan team, with their own country in turmoil since the ousting of the Taliban and their hardline Ismlamism by a U.S.-led invasion in 2001, is happy to train in Peshawar, but is taking precautions.
"We are also staying away from the media as security around the ground (Arbab Niaz Stadium) is also very tight and there are dozens of policemen guarding our team," Khan said.
Afghanistan is warming up for next month's International Cricket Council qualifying tournament in South Africa, where four teams can qualify for the 2011 World Cup.
The 34-year-old Khan, a left-arm fast bowler who played four test matches and 10 limited-overs internationals for Pakistan, said his players traveled in small groups to the stadium for practice to avoid any incidents.
The players wear shalwar kamiz _ the traditional pants and top worn by men and women in South Asia _ while they travel to the stadium and change into cricket clothes when they get there.
"It's all part of the security measures," Khan said.
The fact Afghanistan is still in training, with World Cup hopes alive, surprises Khan, because they've advanced from the lowest rung of qualifying. So far, they've moved through the division 5 event in Jersey, Division 4 in Tanzania and Division 3 in Argentina.
"To be honest with you, I was not expecting such a brilliant performance from my team," Khan said. "The problem in winning these three tournaments was that we knew nothing about our opponents, but we didn't (succumb to) the pressure and took it match by match."
Afghanistan has been bracketed with Denmark, Bermuda, Kenya, the Netherlands and United Arab Emirates in Group B for the South Africa tournament. Group A comprises Ireland, Scotland, Oman, Uganda, Canada and Namibia.
"No doubt experience wise our group looks tough as it has four teams which had previously participated in the World Cups (Kenya, Bermuda, the Netherlands and UAE)," Khan said. "But in one-day cricket you need fitness, you need young and athletic players and our team fulfills this criteria."
Last month, hundreds of fans cheered and threw confetti when the Afghan cricketers returned home from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Khan believes cricket has become the national sport.
"I met quite a few Afghanis who said they fast and prayed for seven days while we played in Argentina," Khan said. "People there not only want us to qualify for the World Cup, they now want us to beat teams like India, Pakistan and even Australia, so the hopes are very high.
"There's definitely extra pressure on all of us."
Khan recently supervised an under-19 tournament in Kabul and was highly impressed with the talent _ especially in the fast bowling department.
"It's still too early to field these players in the event like World Cup qualifiers, but certainly what I've seen, the future of Afghan cricket is very bright," he said.
Khan has targeted Denmark as the must-win match in his group and expects his side to upset at least one other team to qualify for the Super 8 stage _ four teams from each group progress to the next round.
"The way we are training and planning for the tournament, we have set a goal to finish among top four in the event so that we could play in the World Cup in two years," Khan said.
Batting was the main concern for Khan when the team began its World Cup journey last year, but now the coach said his "main headache" is over.
"Fielding and bowling was never a worry for us, and we struggled in our batting," Khan said. "But now with the likes of Riffatullah Momand and Mohammad Shehzad in our batting lineup, I think we have solved this problem."
The Afghanistan squad will wrap up its training camp March 17 and return to Kabul before flying to South Africa on March 20.
A warmup match against Oman will precede the qualifying tournament.
"We'll have at least 11 days before the tournament begins and with a warm-up game against Oman, it will give an ideal preparation for the mega event," Khan said.
___
Squad: Norooz Mangal (captain), Khaleqdaad Noori, Karim Sadiq, Mohammad Nabi, Hasti Gul, Rais Ahmadzai, Dawlat Ahmadzai, Mohammad Shehzad, Hamid Hassan, Samiullah Shinwari, Riffatullah Momand, Noor Ali, Asghar Stanikzai, Shahpoor Zadran, Shafiqullah Shafaq.