Asian shares lower on China data | GEO | LIVE GEO NEWS | GEO NEWS | GEO TV

HONG KONG: Asian shares fell Thursday after new Chinese growth and inflation data pointed to more policy tightening by Beijing, while weak earnings in the United States hurt financials in Tokyo. Tokyo shed 1.13 percent by the break, Shanghai was 1.10 percent lower, Hong Kong fell 1.15 percent and Sydney lost 0.97 percent. Seoul slipped 0.24 percent, a day after hitting a record high. China said its consumer inflation stood at 4.6 percent in December. While that was down from November's 5.1 percent, the rate over 2010 came to 3.3 percent, higher than the government's target of three percent. The world's second-biggest economy as a whole grew at a breakneck 10.3 percent last year, up from a revised 9.2 percent in 2009 -- China's fastest annual pace since the global financial crisis began. The losses in Shanghai and Hong Kong followed strong gains on Wednesday after a leaked report by Hong Kong-based Phoenix Television previewed the inflation and growth figures. Analysts said the still-high inflation figure in December supported the case for further interest rate hikes and bank lending restrictions, after a slew of measures taken by Beijing this year in a bid to cool the red-hot economy. Zheshang Securities analyst Wang Weijun said the "December macroeconomic data has been digested and now eyes will be on January's inflation numbers and whether that will trigger more monetary tightening". Asian trade got off to a poor start after financial shares on Wall Street tumbled. Banking giant Goldman Sachs reported a 52 percent fall in fourth-quarter profit and a 38 percent drop over the year. The Goldman figures compounded fears over the US economy after December housing starts fell to their lowest level since October 2009. The Dow fell 0.11 percent, the broad-market S&P 500 lost 1.01 percent and the tech-rich Nasdaq dropped 1.46 percent. Worries about the pace of the US economic recovery could revive, Kenichi Hirano, operating officer at Tachibana Securities in Tokyo, told Dow Jones Newswires. The housing data "cast a doubt on US consumption this year", Hirano said. On foreign exchange markets the euro fell against the dollar on profit-taking after it hit a two-month high, dealers said. The single currency bought $1.3438 in Tokyo morning trade, down from $1.3470 in New York late Wednesday. The euro reached $1.3539 on Wednesday, its highest since November 23, on improved confidence in the eurozone after a well-received debt sale by beleaguered Portugal. The euro was flat at 110.47 Japanese yen and the dollar was also unchanged at 82.20 yen.

Cotton prices climb by Rs200 per maund | GEO | LIVE GEO NEWS | GEO NEWS | GEO TV

 KARACHI: Cotton prices have reached to Rs10,500 per maund with an increase of Rs200 in local market, Geo News reported on Thursday.

The prices were increased as ginner factories refused to purchase the raw cotton (Phutti). The other factor of surge in the cotton prices is said to be increase in its prices at international market.

Talking to Geo News, member Pakistan Ginners Association Ahsan-ul-Haq said that the fresh hike is due to surge in the prices of commodity in the international market besides refusal of the ginners to purchase it in protest against imposition of tax on textile products.

Stocks slide on economic fears | GEO | LIVE GEO NEWS | GEO NEWS | GEO TV

 KARACHI: Stock prices at Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) fell by more than 1.3 percent on Thursday after the prime minister said Pakistan faced more of an economic threat than a political one, while a wider sell-off dented regional markets, dealers said.

The Karachi Stock Exchange's benchmark 100-share index ended 1.32 percent, or 165.74 points, lower at 12,411.81.

Turnover fell to 183.6 million shares from 188 million shares on Wednesday.

"Investors booked profits across the board as regional markets fell, and on concerns over the country's deteriorating economic indicators," a stock dealer said.

"I do not see any political threat to my government but the country faces an economic threat," Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said on Wednesday.

TTP banned in Britain | GEO | LIVE GEO NEWS | GEO NEWS | GEO TV

 LONDON: Britain has banned the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) as a terrorist group, making it illegal to belong to or raise funds for the organisation in Britain, the government said on Wednesday.

TTP had carried out bombings across Pakistan and was linked to last year's failed Times Square terrorist attack in New York, Home Office Minister Damian Green told the Commons.

He successfully convinced MPs that a proscription order under the Terrorism Act 2000 should be placed against the group, banning it from operating in the UK.

Green said the TTP had committed a number of terrorist attacks in Pakistan, including a suicide car bomb outside a court in March 2009 which killed 14 people and a bombing at a police station in September last year.

Seventeen people died in that bomb while it has also attacked a Nato convoy and the US consulate in Peshawar. "Having carefully considered all the evidence, the Home Secretary firmly believes that the TTP is currently concerned in terrorism," Green told MPs. "The TTP is a prolific terrorist organisation that has committed a large number of mass casualty attacks in Pakistan.

"They have announced various objectives and demands such as the enforcement of Sharia (law), resistance against the Pakistani army and the removal of Nato forces from Pakistan. Proscription will align the UK with the emerging international consensus against this murderous organisation.

NZ parliament evacuated in bomb suspicion | GEO | LIVE GEO NEWS | GEO NEWS | GEO TV

 WELLINGTON: The New Zealand parliament in central Wellington was evacuated and surrounding streets cordoned off Thursday after a suspicious package was found near the building, police said.

Police said a suitcase was found in bushes near the distinctive building, known as the Beehive, early Thursday afternoon.

"Specialist police are currently travelling to the scene to examine the package," police said.

Four Irish cabinet ministers quit | GEO | LIVE GEO NEWS | GEO NEWS | GEO TV

 DUBLIN: Four Irish cabinet ministers have resigned in a surprise move that comes a day after the foreign minister quit following his failed attempt to oust Prime Minister Brian Cowen, reports said Thursday.

The exodus of four ministers late on Wednesday on top of the departure of Micheal Martin, who was foreign minister, leaves the Irish cabinet missing more than a quarter of its members.

The Irish Times newspaper said that the latest resignations paved the way for a reshuffle planned by the prime minister ahead of a general election expected in March.

It is the latest political upheaval in Ireland amid fierce criticism of the government's handling of an economic crisis that saw it pushed into accepting an EU-IMF bailout worth tens of billions of euros.

Health Minister Mary Harney; Justice Minister Dermot Ahern; Transport Minister Noel Dempsey and Defence Minister Tony Killeen tendered their resignations to the premier late on Wednesday, the Irish Times and state broadcaster RTE said.

The letters of resignation would be handed to the president with a recommendation they are accepted, said the Irish Times, citing a government statement.

All of the ministers who resigned had announced they do not intend to contest the forthcoming election, said the newspaper, adding that the appointment of new ministers is expected in the next day or two.

Majority Sudanese vote for separation | GEO | LIVE GEO NEWS | GEO NEWS | GEO TV

JUBA: Organisers of south Sudan's landmark independence vote were collating the remaining preliminary results, poised to return a landslide for secession after reaching the simple majority required on just 60 percent of the ballot. Figures from state and county referendum officials around the south showed that 2,224,857 votes for separation from the mainly Muslim, Arab north had already been returned by Wednesday evening. That comfortably exceeded the simple majority of 1.89 million votes needed on the 96-percent turnout of the 3,932,588 registered voters. In some areas, the vote for partitioning Africa's and the Arab world's largest nation was almost unanimous in a region still ravaged by a devastating 1983-2005 civil war. In Lakes state, centred on Rumbek town which served as rebel headquarters during the war, 298,216 of the 300,444 votes cast were for independence, more than 99.9 percent. Just 227 opted to remain united with the north -- less than a tenth of one percent -- with the balance made up by blank or invalid ballots.

Tunisia ministers resign from ruling party | GEO | LIVE GEO NEWS | GEO NEWS | GEO TV

 TUNIS: Ministers in Tunisia's interim government have resigned from the ruling party, responding to street protesters' demands for an end to its influence after the overthrow of President Zine al-Abedine Ben Ali.

The move announced on state television on Thursday could go some way to restoring credibility in the government after four opposition ministers quit the cabinet this week, saying ruling RCD party ministers must go.

The prime minister and president left the party this week.

Street protesters in Tunis and elsewhere have kept up pressure for a government free of ties with the old guard while a prominent dissident said he would run for president to sweep the former leadership from power.

Highly placed dignitary had Gabol name on ECL | GEO | LIVE GEO NEWS | GEO NEWS | GEO TV

 KARACHI: The name of former state minister and leader of Pakistan People’s Party, Nabil Gabol was placed on Exit Control List (ECL) on recommendation of a highly placed dignitary, sources told Geo News on Thursday.

Nabil Gabol, on Wednesday, resigned from the post of state minister for Ports and Shipping.

Later, he claimed that police raided his house in Karachi for taking him into custody. He said that he had gone into hiding.

Rehman, Mirza disown Orangi operation | GEO | LIVE GEO NEWS | GEO NEWS | GEO TV

 KARACHI: Federal and provincial interior ministers have disowned the Orangi Town operation conducted by the Rangers on Tuesday, Geo News reported Thursday.

The PPP government and the party ran into serious trouble on Thursday when Sindh Interior Minister Zulfikar Mirza came out openly against the Federal government, saying he was totally ignored in the Rangers operations in Orangi Town.

Mirza, who had been silenced some days back by President Asif Zardari, told the Sindh Assembly today that he and as well as Sindh CM had no clue of any operation in Orangi Town.

On the other hand Federal Minister for Interior Rehman Malik who came back to Karachi today also expressed ignorance about the crackdown, saying it was an administrative mistake. Next time the CM and the interior minister would be taken into confidence, he said. However, he pointed out that the Rangers had powers for such an action.

The federal minister also denied reports about raid on house of PPP leader Nabeel Gabol.

Pak Army denies report on Mullah Omar | GEO | LIVE GEO NEWS | GEO NEWS | GEO TV

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Army Thursday rejected a foreign media report that Taliban chief Mullah Omar was treated for a heart attack in Karachi. A military spokesman in a statement "strongly contradicted the news item... about the medical treatment of Afghan Taliban Mulla Mohammad Omar at Karachi." "(The) news is unfounded and concocted to serve vested interests," the statement added.

No expectation of justice from CJ: Dogar counsel | GEO | LIVE GEO NEWS | GEO NEWS | GEO TV

 ISLAMABAD: Nothing positive transpires in regard to the institution’s reputation when matters relating to judges are left for discussion by general people, said the counsel of former judge Abdul Hameed Dogar during proceeding of a case in connection with contempt of court notices to PCO judges.

A four-judge Supreme Court bench headed by Justice M. A. Siddiqui heard the case on Thursday.

Ibrahim Satti, counsel of former judge Abdul Hameed Dogar said: “One cannot expect justice from the present Chief Justice.”

He said whatever verdict the court reaches must not give the impression that it was made out of compulsion.

Dr. Basit, lawyer of former judges Shabbar Raza and Hasnat Ahmed in his arguments said the judges hearing this case are also ‘PCO judges’. He said the case was not earning a good to the institution of justice and the judiciary’s (reputation) graph is on the decline.

PPP-MQM meeting concludes | GEO | LIVE GEO NEWS | GEO NEWS | GEO TV

 KARACHI: The meeting between Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) with an agenda to discuss law and order situation in Karachi concluded here on Thursday.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah attended the meeting from PPP side while Governor Dr. Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan, Dr. Farooq Sattar, Babar Ghauri represented MQM.

The members of both the parties vowed to make every possible effort towards restoring peace in the metropolitan city.

PPP-MQM sub-committee to resolve issues | GEO | LIVE GEO NEWS | GEO NEWS | GEO TV

 KARACHI: The meeting between Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) in a meeting on Thursday decided to form a sub-committee for resolution of issues between the two parties.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah, Pir Mazhar-ul-Haq, Agha Siraj Durrani, Ayaz Soomro, Rafiq Engineer and Syed Murad Ali Shah attended the meeting from PPP side while Governor Dr. Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan, Dr. Farooq Sattar, Babar Ghauri, Wasim Aftab, Dr. Saghir Ahmed, Adil Siddiqui represented MQM.

Representatives of PPP vowed to address MQM’s grievances on priority basis.

Both the parties agreed on strengthening cooperation for larger interest of the people and expressed concern on the law and order situation of Karachi.

Atlantic currents have seen 'drastic' changes: study | GEO | LIVE GEO NEWS | GEO NEWS | GEO TV

GENEVA: Scientists have found evidence of a "drastic" shift since the 1970s in north Atlantic Ocean currents that usually influence weather in the northern hemisphere, Swiss researchers said on Tuesday. The team of biochemists and oceanographers from Switzerland, Canada and the United States detected changes in deep sea Atlantic corals that indicated the declining influence of the cold northern Labrador Current. They said in the US National Academy of Science journal PNAS that the change "since the early 1970s is largely unique in the context of the last approximately 1,800 years," and raised the prospect of a direct link with global warming. The Labrador Current interacts with the warmer Gulfstream from the south. They in turn have a complex interaction with a climate pattern, the North Atlantic Oscillation, which has a dominant impact on weather in Europe and North America. Scientists have pointed to a disruption or shifts in the oscillation as an explanation for moist or harsh winters in Europe, or severe summer droughts such as in Russia, in recent years. One of the five scientists, Carsten Schubert, of the Swiss Federal Institute of Acquatic Sciences and Technology (EAWAG), underlined that for nearly 2,000 years the sub polar Labrador current off northern Canada and Newfoundland was the dominant force. However that pattern appeared to have only been repeated occasionally in recent decades. "Now the southern current has taken over, it's really a drastic change," Schubert said, pointing to the evidence of the shift towards warmer water in the northwest Atlantic. The research was based on nitrogen isotope signatures in 700 year old coral reefs on the ocean floor, which feed on sinking organic particles. While water pushed by the Gulfstream is salty and rich in nutrients, the colder Arctic waters carried by the Labrador current contain fewer nutrients. Changes could be dated because of the natural growth rings seen in corals. "The researchers suspect there is a direct connection between the changes in oceanic currents in the North Atlantic and global warming caused by human activities," said EAWAG in a statement.

Foetus found on UAE flight to Manila | GEO | LIVE GEO NEWS | GEO NEWS | GEO TV

 DUBAI: A cleaner found a human foetus on an Emirati passenger plane after it landed in Manila, Abu Dhabi's Etihad Airways said on Tuesday.

"Etihad Airways can confirm that a human foetus was discovered on board one of its aircraft at Ninoy Aquino airport in Manila by a member of the airport?s cleaning staff on Monday," the United Arab Emirates carrier said.

"Any media enquiries should be directed to local police," it added in a brief statement.

The Philippine Star newspaper said the six to seven-month lifeless foetus was found in the garbage bin of a toilet on board a plane which flew in from Abu Dhabi.

The foetus was wrapped in a diaper, it said on its website.

Last September, a live baby boy was found in a trash bin in a toilet on a Gulf Air jet shortly after it landed at Manila airport.

The Philippines authorities said at the time they were investigating a Filipina woman passenger, who they said had admitted giving birth to the boy in the toilet while on a long-haul flight from Bahrain.

Filipinos represent a major workforce in the oil-rich Arab states of the Gulf, and foreigners, mostly from Asia, account for more than 80 percent of the UAE population.

Last month, a newborn baby was reportedly found strangled to death and dumped in a bathroom bin at Dubai airport.

Police said they were working with Interpol to hunt an African woman believed to have given birth to the baby in the airport before she dumped the child and flew home.

Odds of an IVF baby? | GEO | LIVE GEO NEWS | GEO NEWS | GEO TV

LONDON: Want to know your chance of having a baby through in-vitro fertilization? There's an app for that. British researchers have devised a formula which they say gives a highly accurate prediction of the potential success of IVF, to help couples decide whether to try the treatment. They have made it available online as a simple computer calculator application, and say it will soon be available for download on Apple's iPhones and other mobiles. Scientists from the Universities of Glasgow and Bristol analyzed the details of more than 144,000 IVF cycles to produce a statistical model that can give a prediction of live birth which is up to 99 percent accurate. "Treatment-specific factors can be used to provide infertile couples with a very accurate assessment of their chance of a successful outcome following IVF," said Scott Nelson of the University of Glasgow, who led the research. Nelson, whose work was published in the Public Library of Science (PLoS) Medicine journal, said that up until now estimates of success have not been very reliable. The formula takes into account the woman's age, number of years trying to get pregnant, whether she is using her own eggs, the cause of infertility, the number of previous IVF cycles and whether she has previously been pregnant or had a baby. "The result of this study is a tool which can be used to make incredibly accurate predictions," he said in a statement. Nelson's team used data held by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, which regulates IVF treatment in Britain. They looked at all cycles carried out between 2003 and 2007 and assessed the chances of having a live birth. The fertility treatment market is big and growing, with an estimated 140,000 IVF cycles in the United States in 2008. As many as 80 million couples worldwide are infertile, experts say. In the United States and Britain, IVF is successful in about a third of women under 35 years old but in only five to 10 percent of women over the age of 40, Nelson said. There are many other factors besides age which can alter the chance of success "and clinics don't usually take these into account when counseling couples or women," he added. The calculator is already available free at www.ivfpredict.com. Applications for iPhones and Android smart phones are coming soon, so users "can discuss the results with your clinicians right there in the clinic," the website says. "There is a real need in medicine to try and replace general statements such as 'high risk' and 'good chance' with well validated, quantitative estimates of probability," said Gordon Smith, head of Cambridge University's obstetrics and gynecology department, who did not work on the study. "This model...provides women considering IVF with an understandable and quantitative estimate of their chances of success. It is a great resource."

Berlin museum extends popular Hitler exhibition | GEO | LIVE GEO NEWS | GEO NEWS | GEO TV

 BERLIN: A groundbreaking exhibition in Berlin tackling the personality cult of Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler has been extended because of large numbers of visitors, organisers said Thursday.

"Hitler and the Germans" at Berlin's German Historical Museum (DHM) had been due to close on February 6 but will stay open another three weeks until February 27, spokesman Rudolf Trabold said.

The exhibition, open since October, uses items ranging from propaganda posters, busts of Hitler, children's games and swastika Christmas decorations to show how Nazi imagery was present in almost every aspect of life.

These are juxtaposed with exhibits showing the sinister reality of life in the Third Reich behind the propaganda: the fate of Jews, political opponents or the mentally ill with no place in the Fuehrer's "Volk".

"So far we have had around 170,000 visitors," Trabold said.

Such an exhibition would not have been possible in Germany even 10 years ago, commentators say, and follows a recent change in popular attitudes in Germany towards Hitler.

The 2004 film "Downfall" portrayed Hitler as a deeply flawed human, not a monster, for example, and Germans have even learned to laugh at the dictator.

Blood test for cancer gets US boost | GEO | LIVE GEO NEWS | GEO NEWS | GEO TV

 WASHINGTON: Pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson said Monday it is partnering with US doctors to improve a blood test for cancer that could do away with biopsies and transform the field of cancer treatment.

The Circulating Tumor Cell (CTC) microchip technology, which inventors describe as a "liquid biopsy," has been touted as a revolutionary approach to diagnosing cancer since it was first developed several years ago by doctors at Massachusetts General Hospital.

It works by detecting cancer cells that have detached from a tumor and are circulating at very low levels in the blood.

But until now, the technology has been unable to do much more than count cells, giving doctors an idea of what is happening with a patient's cancer but not delivering the precision that the latest version can.

"The new technology allows us to not just count them but to understand the molecular changes that lead to the disease progression that is occurring in the cells," said Nicholas Dracopoli, vice president of Ortho Biotech Oncology Research and Development (ORD), a unit of Johnson & Johnson.

With just a single blood draw, the new technology can give researchers access to cells from a patient's tumor, without the patient having to undergo invasive and often painful surgical biopsy procedures.

"And that will then allow us to do sophisticated molecular analysis of those isolated cells so that we can then look and see if there are therapies that are optimally suited to a patient with those particular abnormalities," Dracopoli said.

The new technique "allows us... to monitor in real time what is happening in the tumor in a way you never could be if you had to do a surgical procedure each time in order to get the samples as we do today."

In other words, doctors could know a lot sooner whether a therapy for cancer is succeeding or failing, and they could possibly tailor a patient's treatment accordingly.

The partnership brings together Veridex, the company which brought the earlier version of the test to the US market, together with ORD and clinical researchers to develop an improved version of the current technology.

"This collaboration is an opportunity to apply our past learning to the advancement of a platform that will ultimately benefit patients with cancer," said lead CTC chip researcher Mehmet Toner in a statement.

The US Food and Drug Administration approved the earlier generation technology for use in detecting cancer cells in the blood of patients with metastatic, or advanced stage, breast, prostate and colorectal cancer.

The planned "next-generation system" aims to be used by oncologists "as a diagnostic tool for personalizing patient care, as well as by researchers to accelerate and improve the process of drug discovery and development," said a statement by Veridex.

Dracopoli said it could be three to five years before FDA clinical trials produce results that show the technique works toward detecting and treating a broader range of cancers.

"A big part of the collaboration over the next few years will be testing the technology in prospectively defined clinical trials and confirming that this information actually helps guide therapies and improves patient outcomes," he said.

"We hope this will be a means of significantly improving the way that patients are treated, in the sense that we can get information about how a patient is responding to therapy in a way that we cannot right now."

Online health info popular but often unchecked | GEO | LIVE GEO NEWS | GEO NEWS | GEO TV

 LONDON: The number of people looking for health information online is set to soar as workers return from holiday breaks, but few will check where the information comes from, according to an international survey on Tuesday.

A report by researchers at the London School of Economics (LSE) commissioned by the private healthcare firm Bupa said that with smartphones and tablet computers set to outsell personal computers by 2012, more health information is available online and there are more ways to access it than ever before.

The Bupa Health Pulse survey questioned more than 12,000 people in Australia, Brazil, Britain, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Mexico, Russia, Spain and the United States and found that 81 percent of those with internet access use it to search for advice about health, medicines or medical conditions.

Russians search for health advice the most on the internet, followed by China, India, Mexico and Brazil. The French search for online health information the least, according to the survey's findings.

It also found that 68 percent of those who have access have used the internet to look for information about specific medicines and nearly 4 in 10 use it to look for other patients' experiences of a condition.

"New technologies are helping more people around the world to find out more about their health and to make better informed decisions. However, people need to make sure that the information they find will make them better, not worse," said David McDaid, a senior research fellow at the LSE.

In Britain, where Bupa predicted there would be 40 million hits on health websites this week as people make New Year's resolutions after their Christmas break, experts warned that much online health content is unchecked and people would struggle to know what to trust.

The survey found that of the 73 percent of Britons who say they go online for health information, more than six in 10 look for information about medicines and more than half of them, or 58 percent, use the information to self diagnose.

Yet only a quarter of people say they check where their online advice has come from.

"Relying on dodgy information can easily lead to people taking risks with inappropriate tests and treatments, wasting money and causing unnecessary worry," said Annabel Bentley, a medical director at Bupa.

"Equally, people may check online and dismiss serious symptoms when they should get advice from a doctor."

Film producers, writers solidify Oscar race | GEO | LIVE GEO NEWS | GEO NEWS | GEO TV

LOS ANGELES: Film producers and writers on Tuesday jumped into Hollywood's Oscar race with their choices of 2010's best movies, including "The Social Network," "The Fighter" and "Black Swan," among others. The Producers Guild of America and the Writers Guild of America, which represent their respective groups in the film and television industries, annually issue lists of best movies, and their picks are closely watched in the race for Oscars. Joining the three movies above on the Producers Guild list were seven other films that have received praise from critics and industry groups. Those titles include "The King's Speech," "127 Hours," "Inception," "The Kids Are All Right," "The Town," "Toy Story 3," and "True Grit." The writers divide their top 10 into two groups, best original screenplay and best adapted screenplay. Boxing film "The Fighter" made the list of five movies that will vie for original screenplay, along with ballerina story "Black Swan," family comedy "The Kids Are All Right," and dramas "Inception" and "Please Give." Facebook film "Social Network," adventure "127 Hours," crime drama "The Town," western "True Grit" and independent movie "I Love You Phillip Morris" made the group of five competing for best adapted screenplay. Absent from the writer's list was "King's Speech," a drama about the stammering British King George VI that has made several best movie lists among critics. Hollywood is counting the days until the February 27 Oscars, the industry's biggest movie awards held in Los Angeles and given out by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Producers Guild and other industry honors can offer a guidepost for Oscar chances because many members of the PGA and WGA also belong to the Academy, whose members cast votes for the Oscars. Moreover, industry group and critics' lists also give a lift to movie theater ticket sales. The PGA also nominates films for best documentary, and those choices include "Client 9: The Rise and Fall of Eliot Spitzer," about the former New York governor's hiring of prostitutes, Rwandan genocide tale "Earth Made of Glass," as well as "Inside Job" that aims to explain the banking crisis. "Smash His Camera" about celebrity-chasing photographer Ron Galella, "The Tillman Story," that examines the death of U.S. football star-turned soldier Pat Tillman in Afghanistan and "Waiting for Superman," that details the failures of the U.S. educational system, rounded out the documentary nominees. The honor for best-produced animated movie puts "Despicable Me," up against "How To Train Your Dragon," and "Toy Story 3." The Writers Guild picked six films for best documentary but only one, "Inside Job," is shared with the producers. The writers other documentary nominees were: "Who is Harry Nilsson (And Why is Everybody Talkin' About Him)?" "Freedom Riders," "Enemies of the People," "Gasland," "The Two Escobars." The producers also unveiled TV nominees, and in the category for best TV drama, "Breaking Bad," will compete against "Dexter," "Lost," "Mad Men," and "True Blood." Nominees for TV comedy went to the producers of "30 Rock," Curb Your Enthusiasm," "Glee," "Modern Family," and "The Office." Back in December, the writers unveiled their TV picks. The PGA hands out its honor at a gala ceremony in Los Angeles on January 22, and the WGA has its awards dinner on February 5. Oscar nominees will be named on January 25, and the top awards will be given out on February 27.

Red carpet premiere of ‘Season of the Witch’ | GEO | LIVE GEO NEWS | GEO NEWS | GEO TV

 NEW YORK: Tending to red carpet duties for his soon-to-be-released movie, Nicolas Cage was on-hand for Relativity Media's premiere of "Season of the Witch" in New York City on Tuesday night.

Held at AMC Lincoln Square Theater, the Oscar winning actor was joined at the event by fellow cast members including Robert Sheehan, Stephen Campbell Moore, Claire Foy and Ron Perlman.

Due out in theaters on Friday, the Dominic Sena directed work finds "14th-century knights transport a suspected witch to a monastery, where monks deduce her powers could be the source of the Black Plague."

Denying that he took the role only to pay off reported multi-million dollar debt, Cage recently told USA Today, "(Season) I needed to do more than (for) necessity reasons, but because I genuinely connected with the ... material. But there's always that other element too, you know, as a result of what has happened that has been made very public."

Twilight, Katy Perry among People's Choice winners | GEO | LIVE GEO NEWS | GEO NEWS | GEO TV

LOS ANGELES: "Twilight" again stole the limelight at the People's Choice awards on Wednesday, on a night that also saw big wins for singer Katy Perry and actor Johnny Depp at the start of the Hollywood awards season. Organizers said a record 175 million votes were cast on social media and on the Internet for the favorite stars of television, movies and music in an awards show that is totally fan-driven. Despite being the earliest of Hollywood's glittering awards shows, the People's Choice picks gave few clues this year to the likely winners of industry-voted honors such as the Oscars or the Screen Actors Guild honors. "The Twilight Saga; Eclipse" the third installment of the popular vampire romance, won for favorite movie and favorite drama. "Twilight" star Kristen Stewart beat veterans like Julia Roberts, Angelina Jolie and Julia Roberts to take the favorite movie actress trophy . "I can't believe this. You guys are unreal! For movie number 3 already?" said "Twilight" actor Taylor Lautner, accepting the trophies. "Twilight" and its cast are not expected to be among Oscar nominees when they are announced on Jan 25. "Alice in Wonderland" star Johnny Depp took home the favorite movie actor trophy for the second year running. Television honors went to musical comedy "Glee" and its scheming cheerleader played by Jane Lynch, while medical drama "House" picked up trophies for best drama and best actress for Lisa Edelstein. The remake of "Hawaii Five-O" and the Twitter inspired comedy "$#*! (Bleep) My Dad Says" won for favorite new TV shows. Katy Perry, whose infectious pop hits "California Gurls" and "Teenage Dream" dominated the charts last year, picked up trophies for favorite female artist and favorite web celebrity, beating the flamboyant Lady Gaga. "I've had an incredible year!," she told the audience. Taylor Swift, whose "Speak Now" album was one of the biggest sellers of 2010, won best country artist. Swift's award was presented by singer Sir Elton John, a new parent with his partner David Furnish. "Elton! Congrats to you! You're a dad now," Swift told him, before thanking her own fans. More than 44 awards were given out including one for best talk show host to comedian Conan O'Brien. O'Brien started 2010 by being forced out of his job on "The Tonight Show" and ended it by launching his own show on cable channel TBS. "I want to thank everyone who made what could have been a horrible year into the best year of my life," O'Brien said.

Resident Evil: Afterlife’ tops rental charts | GEO | LIVE GEO NEWS | GEO NEWS | GEO TV

 LOS ANGELES: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment's "Resident Evil: Afterlife" secured the top spot on the VideoScan First Alert sales chart for the week ended January 2.

The fourth live-action film based on the "Resident Evil" video game franchise managed to hold off a post-Christmas surge from Warner Home Video's "Inception," which finished at No. 2 with 97.2% as many copies sold as "Afterlife."

The titles also took the top two spots on the Blu-ray sales chart for the week, but with "Inception" edging out "Afterlife" for its second consecutive week on top. "Inception" generated 46% of its sales in the high-def format, compared with 44% for "Afterlife."

"Afterlife" debuted only at No. 3 on Home Media Magazine's rental chart for the week, although Sony Pictures did take the top four rental spots.

The top two titles carried over from the previous week, with "Salt" at No. 1 and "Easy A" at No. 2. The No. 4 rental was Sony Pictures' "The Other Guys."

Sony Pictures' year-end dominance of the rental chart is due to it being one of the only studios with new releases that aren't delayed by 28 days to Redbox.

Universal's "Despicable Me," which was the top-selling title the previous two weeks, slipped to No. 3 on the First Alert chart its third week in stores. Fox's "The A-Team" landed at No. 4, and Warner's "The Town" came in at No. 5. Top rental "Salt" poured onto the sales chart at No. 6 in its second week.

The only other new release to land on the Top 20 was Universal's "The American," which debuted at No. 15.

Eminem's ‘Recovery’ top selling album of 2010 | GEO | LIVE GEO NEWS | GEO NEWS | GEO TV

LOS ANGELES: Eminem's "Recovery" was the top-selling album of 2010, according to Nielsen SoundScan numbers released Wednesday. The disc, which was the rapper's sixth chart-topper, has moved more than 3.4 million units since its June release. Coming in at No. 2 is Lady Antebellum's "Need You Now," which sold 3.1 million units. Taylor Swift's third album, "Speak Now," came in at No. 3 with 2.96 million in sales. Justin Bieber's "My World 2.0" and Susan Boyle's "The Gift" came in fourth and fifth spots respectively. Lady Gaga's "The Fame" was named No. 6 with 1.6 million in sales, followed by Sade's "Soldier of Love" with 1.3 million. Drake's "Thank Me Later" moved 1.27; Usher's "Raymond V Raymond," 1.18 and Ke$ha's "Animal," 1.14. Even though Eminem's album topped 2010, his biggest hit from it, "Love the Way You Lie" (featuring Rihanna) came in third place as the most popular song of 2010. Katy Perry's summer hit "California Gurls," with an assist by Snoop Dogg, sold 4.4 million tracks in 2010.

Pakistan trio face judgement day | GEO | LIVE GEO NEWS | GEO NEWS | GEO TV

 DOHA: A make-or-break anti-corruption tribunal against Pakistan cricketers Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer opens in Doha Thursday with the players facing lengthy bans if found guilty.

The hearing will be held behind closed doors at the Qatar Financial Centre from 0630 GMT and is scheduled to run until January 11, although lawyers have indicated a verdict may come earlier.

The three face charges of spot-fixing during Pakistan's tour of England last year in a scandal that rocked the sport. It is alleged that they conspired in the bowling of deliberate no-balls -- claims they all deny.

They were provisionally suspended by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in September, with the world governing body's code of conduct carrying a minimum five-year ban if corruption charges are proved.

The maximum punishment is life out of the game.

The scandal came to light when Britain's News of the World claimed that seven Pakistani players, including Butt, Aamer and Asif, took money from bookie Mazhar Majeed to obey orders at specific stages in the Lord's Test in August.

Scotland Yard detectives raided the team hotel in London, reportedly confiscating a huge amount of money from Salman's room.

The three-man independent hearing is being led by code of conduct commissioner and leading lawyer Michael Beloff of England, aided by Justice Albie Sachs from South Africa and Kenyan Sharad Rao.

It is set to open with a statement from the prosecution followed by a response from representatives of the three players.

All three have serious legal heavyweights going in to bat for them with paceman Asif, 28, represented by Allan Cameron, brother of British Prime Minister David Cameron.

Former Test captain and opening batsman Salman, 26, is represented by British-based lawyer Yasin Patel, while 18-year-old fast bowler Aamer's legal team is headed by Shahid Karim from Pakistan.

British newspapers said Pakistan one-day captain Shahid Afridi and head coach Waqar Younis have been summoned as prosecution witnesses.

While the ICC has made clear it will not be commenting until a verdict is reached, chief executive Haroon Lorgat told the BBC recently he was confident of the case against the players.

"We need to send out a strong message and that is part of what we want to achieve," Lorgat said. "We've worked hard at collecting all the evidence that we would require to make the charges stand."

The Pakistan team are currently touring New Zealand, but speaking ahead of the hearing, Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ijaz Butt told reporters that corruption was a curse that must be stamped out.

"It has to be an all-out effort from all concerned to ensure that such wrongdoing does not occur in the future and we at the PCB are doing all we can to curtail all such practices," he said.

"The PCB and ICC have taken a lot of steps, future plans have been drafted to pursue a policy of zero tolerance to corruption."

The scandal is seen as the worst in cricket since that of South Africa's Hansie Cronje.

A decade ago the former South Africa captain, who died in a mysterious plane crash in 2002, was revealed to have accepted money from bookmakers in a bid to influence the course of games as well as trying to corrupt his team-mates.

Collingwood makes way for youth in Tests | GEO | LIVE GEO NEWS | GEO NEWS | GEO TV

SYDNEY: England batsman Paul Collingwood said it was time to move on and give a younger players an opportunity as he announced his retirement from Test cricket on Thursday. Collingwood, 34, has been under pressure to keep his number five batting spot after a dismal personal Ashes series that saw him garner just 83 runs at 13.83 and his announcement appeared to be his jumping before he was pushed after the final Test in Sydney. Former captain and teammate Andrew Flintoff said this week it was time for the England team management to be ruthless and drop the under-performing Collingwood from the Ashes-winning team. But Collingwood didn't even wait until the end of the Sydney Test, scheduled to finish on Friday, and made his announcement before the start of the fourth day's play. While he will no longer be a part of Test cricket, Collingwood will remain as England's Twenty20 captain and play for the one-day team, the England and Wales Cricket Board said. "I'm proud of the fact that I've always given my all for the England Test team," Collingwood said in a statement. "But I feel that this is the right time to leave Test cricket, having reached some very special achievements, none more satisfying that retaining the Ashes in Australia. "I also feel now is the time to ensure some of the younger players are given an opportunity at Test level as we have a wealth of talent pushing for places in the England Test team." One of the chief beneficiaries of Collingwood's decision could be Eoin Morgan, 24, who has been on the sidelines during the Australian series. In-form Ian Bell, who broke through for his first Ashes century with 115 in England's first innings in Sydney, is also in line to move up the batting order from six to five in a reshuffle. Collingwood told his teammates of his decision on the field ahead of Thursday's fourth day in the Sydney Test and was given hugs and pats on the back by the England players. "Representing England at Test level has always been a dream of mine and I've been fortunate enough to have enjoyed some amazing highs throughout my Test career," Collingwood said. "Clearly I still feel I have a huge amount to offer England in terms of limited overs cricket and I'm looking forward to the opportunity to continue leading the Twenty20 squad and playing a significant role in England's ODI team." Collingwood made his Test debut in 2003 against Sri Lanka at Galle and has earned 68 caps. The Durham right-hander has scored 4,259 runs in Tests at 40.95 and taken 17 wickets. Collingwood led England to their first-ever success in a global tournament when his team defeated Australia by seven wickets in the World Twenty20 final in Barbados last May. Hugh Morris, Managing Director of England Cricket, said: "Paul Collingwood has made an outstanding contribution to the England Test team. "His performances have been admired and recognised by his teammates and England supporters over many years and his tireless commitment in the Test match arena will be something he will always be remembered for. "I'm delighted that Paul will be available to continue to make important contributions to our ODI and Twenty20 teams."

England close in on Ashes series win | GEO | LIVE GEO NEWS | GEO NEWS | GEO TV

SYDNEY: Relentless England were just three wickets away from their first Down Under series victory in 24 years as Australia folded under pressure in the final Sydney Ashes Test on Thursday. Needing either a win or a draw to claim the series, England posted their highest-ever score in Australia of 644 and then ripped through Australia to take seven wickets and have a win at the mercy on Friday's final day. England, who lead the series 2-1, have already retained the Ashes at last week's fourth Melbourne Test and are now looking to crown it with a well-deserved series triumph. At the close, Australia had been reduced to 213 for seven with Steven Smith on 24 and Peter Siddle on 17 and still 151 runs in arrears. England outplayed the hosts in Adelaide and Melbourne while Australia won the third Test in Perth. The first Brisbane Test was drawn. The pace trio of James Anderson, Tim Bresnan and Chris Tremlett bowled England to the verge of victory with irresistible displays of swing bowling. Anderson, getting tantalising late reverse swing, snared the wickets of debutant Usman Khawaja and acting captain Michael Clarke to take his series haul to 23. Khawaja, who made a promising debut in the first innings, played away from his body and deflected a catch to Matt Prior off Anderson for 21. Clarke looked to have played himself in when on 41 he was bamboozled by Anderson's late movement off the pitch and gave Prior another catch. It culminated in a dismal batting series for Clarke with just 193 runs at 21.44. Bresnan chipped with the crucial wicket of Australia's leading series scorer Mike Hussey, caught head-high by Kevin Pietersen for 12. Australia then suffered a tumble of wickets with Brad Haddin (30) and Mitchell Johnson (0) falling on consecutive Tremlett deliveries only for Siddle to see off the hattrick attempt. Strauss sought an extra half-hour's play from the umpires in a bid to press a result inside four days. Australia's second innings foundered early with the chaotic run out of Shane Watson for 38 in a dreadful breakdown in communication with Phillip Hughes. Watson became the third Australian opener run out in the series after he took off for a second run that wasn't on while Hughes hesitated. Kevin Pietersen whipped in his throw to Prior with both batsmen stranded at the non-striker's end. Watson was also prominently involved in the run outs of Simon Katich in the second Adelaide Test and Hughes at Melbourne. Hughes lasted just seven more overs before he fell for 13 in a familiar mode of dismissal, tickling outside offstump to a slanting Tim Bresnan delivery to the slips. Earlier, Prior became England's third centurion as the tourists posted their highest total of 644 in Australia and eclipsed the previous highest score of 636 at the SCG, set back in 1928-29. It was also the fourth time England have passed 500 in the series. It took Australia's bowlers 177.5 overs and 758 minutes to finally dislodge rampant England, who had three century-makers -- Alastair Cook (189), Prior (118) and Ian Bell (115). Graeme Swann was left unbeaten on 36 off 26 balls as England frolicked along at 3.6 runs an over. Prior, who was 54 overnight, took to the Australian attack and raised his fourth Test century with a four through the covers off spinner Michael Beer. His 197-minute blitz was the fastest England Ashes century since Ian Botham in 1981.

Oil mixed in Asian trade | GEO | LIVE GEO NEWS | GEO NEWS | GEO TV

 SINGAPORE: Oil prices were mixed in Asia Thursday, despite a sharp fall in US crude inventories adding to the mood of recovery in the world's largest oil consumer, analysts said.

New York's main contract, light sweet crude for February delivery, was up 11 cents to 90.41 dollars per barrel. Brent North Sea crude for delivery in February was down five cents to 95.45 dollars.

Oil prices were supported by "better US economic data and a larger than expected 4.2 million barrel fall in US crude oil inventories last week," the Commonwealth Bank of Australia said in a report.

The numbers, released by the US Department of Energy late Wednesday, were almost double analysts' forecasts of a 2.2 million barrel drop.

Meanwhile, US private hiring and service sector growth numbers also beat analyst expectations and boosted confidence that the US economic recovery was on track. Figures provided by private payrolls firm ADP showed the American private sector adding a seasonally adjusted 297,000 jobs in December, more than triple the number created in November and above consensus forecasts of 100,000 new hirings.

Separately, the Institute of Supply Management said its non-manufacturing index rose 2.1 points to 57.1 percent last month. Economists had predicted the index would see a more moderate rise to 55.7 percent. Any figure above 50 signifies growth in the crucial sector.

Wall Street lifts Asian shares | GEO | LIVE GEO NEWS | GEO NEWS | GEO TV

HONG KONG: A rise on Wall Street and a stronger greenback gave Asian stock markets a lift on Thursday, although Australia's floods weighed on Sydney stocks and Shanghai was in consolidation mode. Japan's Nikkei index was up 1.17 percent led by exporter stocks, reflecting the firmer dollar against the yen. Hong Kong was flat, Sydney lost 0.35 percent in the afternoon and Shanghai edged down 0.53 percent. US stocks closed higher on Wednesday after a surprise jump in private sector jobs and solid growth in the service sector. The dollar held firm against the yen in Asia, edging up to 83.27 yen in Tokyo morning trade from 83.24 yen in New York late Wednesday. The euro fetched $1.3151 against $1.3150 the previous day. The single European currency also rose against the Japanese unit, to 109.51 yen from 109.42 yen. Ahead of monthly jobs figures due on Friday, US private payrolls firm ADP reported that the US private sector added 297,000 jobs in December, more than three times the number created in November. However, Australia's floods, which have hurt mining firms in particular, continued to spook the Sydney market. According to IHS Global Insight, the floods have led to the closure of an estimated 90 million tonnes of annual production capacity. "Australia is continuing to limp despite the fact that we are well positioned for continuing growth in China and the Asian region," Justin Gallagher, head of domestic sales trading at RBS in Sydney, told Dow Jones Newswires. "We saw some good data out of the US last night... But there has been an enormous amount of press around the flood situation and the impact on the local economy, and investors are a little concerned about what that means." In Hong Kong, developer stocks outperformed after a report that blue chip property firm Cheung Kong is planning the city's first yuan-denominated initial public offering, of a real-estate investment trust, in the first quarter. In Shanghai, energy stocks slipped back after strong gains around New Year, with China Coal down 0.8 percent after gaining 6.4 percent over the previous four sessions. In New York earlier, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.27 percent, the broader S&P 500 index gained 0.50 percent and the tech-rich Nasdaq climbed 0.78 percent. Oil prices were mixed, despite a sharp fall in US crude inventories adding to the mood of recovery. New York's main contract, light sweet crude for February delivery, was up 11 cents at 90.41 dollars per barrel. Brent North Sea crude for February was down five cents at 95.45 dollars. Gold opened lower at $1,375.00-$1,376.00 an ounce in Hong Kong, down from Wednesday's close of $1,383.50-$1,384.50.

Stocks at KSE end at 29-month high | GEO | LIVE GEO NEWS | GEO NEWS | GEO TV

 KARACHI: Stocks at Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) ended at more than a 29-month high on Thursday as investors bought energy shares on hopes of healthy earnings and because of an increasein international oil prices, dealers said.

The Karachi Stock Exchange's benchmark 100-share index ended 1.50 percent, or 182.63 points, up at 12,323.47,its highest close since June 2008, on turnover of 144.28million shares.

“The oil and exploration sector was in the limelight today as international oil prices are at $90 per barrel and investors are expecting strong corporate results," a dealer said.

Corporate results for the quarter which ended Dec. 31 are due to be announced in the coming weeks.

Global oil prices held above $90 on Thursday after touching a 27-month high of $92.58 on the first trading day of the year.

Turkish Airlines hijack bid foiled by passengers: TV | GEO | LIVE GEO NEWS | GEO NEWS | GEO TV

 ISTANBUL: A Turkish passenger on a Turkish Airlines flight from Oslo to Istanbul tried to hijack the plane before being overpowered by other passengers Wednesday, security sources said quoted by local.

The would-be hijacker, named as Cuma Yasar, said shortly before the scheduled landing that he had a bomb on him, the sources were quoted as saying.

The suspect, who comes from a Kurdish village in the southeastern region of Anatolia, headed for the cockpit of the Boeing 737-800 less than an hour before arrival at Istanbul and demanded that the aircraft return to Oslo, claiming to have a bomb.

But the 40-year-old was tackled by Turkish and Norwegian passengers and the plane landed safely at Istanbul's Ataturk airport at 1930 GMT.

The suspect was immediately arrested. No explosive device was found, media said.

22 killed in India bus accident | GEO | LIVE GEO NEWS | GEO NEWS | GEO TV

 DEHRA DUN: At least 22 people, including two women and six children, were killed and 24 injured when a bus carrying businessmen and their families fell into a gorge at Kuthalgate area on Dehra Dun-Mussoorie Road near Dehra Dun on Wednesday.

The passengers had gone to Mussoorie along with their family members for the New Year celebrations, Senior Superintendent of Police G S Martolia said. Twenty-two people were killed, he said.

He said the mishap occurred when the bus, going to Haridwar from Mussoorie, skidded off the road near a Shiva temple in the area and fell into 50-feet-deep gorge.

Most of the victims died on the spot, he said, adding that the injured were taken to Doon government hospital.

Senior police officials rushed to the spot to launch rescue operations. "We are providing the best medical care to the injured," an official spokesman said.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank announced a compensation of Rs. one lakh to the next of the kin of the deceased.

Australia blames La Nina for epic floods | GEO | LIVE GEO NEWS | GEO NEWS | GEO TV

 SYDNEY: Australia has blamed the disruptive "La Nina" weather pattern for epic flooding that has inundated thousands of northeastern homes and swamped an area the size of Texas.

The meteorology bureau said La Nina, which forms in the Pacific and is associated with extreme weather, had brought the wettest year on record in Queensland state, where 40 towns have been deluged or isolated by flooding.

"By July, La Nina conditions were well established and most areas of Australia experienced very much above average rainfall," the bureau said in an annual climate report on Wednesday.

"The second half of the year (July to December) was the wettest on record for Australia."

Torrential rains over Christmas fell on land already saturated by months of wet weather, stretching river systems which then spilled over thousands of square kilometres (miles) of farmland and coal mines.

"Thousands of properties were inundated in Emerald, Bundaberg, Rockhampton and many smaller centres, while the communities of Theodore and Condamine were evacuated," the bureau said.

"Numerous rivers throughout the region reached record levels. Damage to property and infrastructure, as well as the economic cost from crop losses and disruptions to mining, is expected to run to several billion dollars."

La Nina is the opposition condition of El Nino, which subsided in June after being blamed for an exceptionally snowbound winter in North America and Europe.

La Nina is characterised by unusually cool ocean temperatures in the eastern equatorial Pacific, and is associated with strong rainfall in Asia and Australia, bitter cold snaps in North America, and drought in South America.

In Australia, water levels have peaked in many areas while other towns downstream are still bracing for the full impact of the deluge, while officials warn communities could take months to recover.

US, China pledge cooperation | GEO | LIVE GEO NEWS | GEO NEWS | GEO TV

 WASHINGTON: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and her Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi vowed Wednesday that their countries would cooperate closely despite differences on China's currency and other issues.

"We are preparing diligently for the upcoming state visit by (Chinese) President Hu Jintao. It's very much anticipated and looked forward to," Clinton said as she posed for photographs with Yang at the State Department.

Hu is due here on January 19.

"And both the minister and I feel a great sense of responsibility to ensure that it continues the positive, cooperative comprehensive relationship between our two countries," the chief US diplomat said.

Yang said: "I think China-US relationship is on the right track. We are confronted with common challenges and we are enjoying common opportunities.

"It's in the best interests of China, the United States and the world for us to continue to work together so that our relationship will bring more benefits to both our two peoples and to the people of the world," he said.

Preparations for Hu's visit are "proceeding very well," Yang added.

As part of the preparations, Yang met US President Barack Obama at the White House on Tuesday to discuss the row over the Chinese yuan, US-China trade, Iran, North Korea and the upcoming referendum in Sudan.

The White House has signaled it will keep up pressure on Beijing to allow its yuan currency to appreciate. Critics say China keeps the yuan undervalued to gain an unfair trade advantage that has cost thousands of US jobs.

"China plays an enormously important role in our global economy, and China has to take steps to rebalance its currency," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs told reporters on Wednesday.

"And the president will continue to make that point when President Hu is here, as he did with the foreign minister," he said.

Gibbs said human rights, the global economy, and North Korea will be on the agenda.

Washington has been urging China to rein in its Communist ally North Korea, which in November shelled a South Korean island, killing four people.

Gibbs also dismissed the criticism that Obama had soft pedalled human rights with China, saying he had raised the issue personally with Hu himself.

Obama and Hu last met in Seoul on the fringes of the Group of 20 summit in November and are due to hold talks at the White House and a state dinner during the Chinese president's visit.

Israel PM to meet Egypt's Mubarak over peace crisis | GEO | LIVE GEO NEWS | GEO NEWS | GEO TV

JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu heads Thursday to Egypt for talks with President Hosni Mubarak on ways to break the impasse in peace negotiations with the Palestinians, his office said. The two leaders will meet in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh for talks that will also focus on threats facing the region. "On the agenda for the talks is the advancement of the political process, regional issues and other subjects of interest to the two countries," a statement from Netanyahu's office said. An official from the premier's office said the two leaders would also debate "threats facing the stability of the region," without giving further details. During the brief summit, Netanyahu will also meet Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit as well as other officials, a statement from his office said. Travelling with him are Trade and Industry Minister Benjamin Ben Eliezer, national security chief Uzi Arad and military secretary Yohanan Locker. Netanyahu was also expected to raise the issue of weapons smuggling through tunnels linking Egypt with the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, Israel's army radio said. Another subject likely to be on the agenda was the threat posed to both Israel and Egypt by radical Islamist groups operating in Egypt's Sinai peninsula, the radio said. Direct peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians, the first for nearly two years, began on September 2 but hit a crisis just three weeks later when an Israeli ban on settlement building expired. Since then, the Palestinians have refused to continue talking until Israel renews a freeze on settlement activity, but US efforts to secure a new moratorium collapsed last month. International efforts are now focused on ways to try and bring the two parties back to some form of indirect negotiations.

POL price hike reversal expected | GEO | LIVE GEO NEWS | GEO NEWS | GEO TV

 ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani may announce to reverse petroleum prices increased on Jan 01, Geo News reported Thursday.

A meeting of parliamentary leaders on the issue of POL price hike held today.

The PM was also expected to announce two more important decisions including accepting PML-N demands.

According to reports, the meeting deliberated on the price hike of POL besides discussing on the procedure of change in POL prices.

The meeting had been scheduled to be held on Tuesday evening but owing to tragic murder of Punjab Governor Salman Taseer.

The PM consulted with the leaders of political parties in relation to the recent hike in POL prices.