Obama backed by the Clintons

Barack Obama made history as the Democratic party officially nominated him to be their candidate in the November presidential election, making him the first black American to lead a major political party ticket. Obama, 47, won the historic nomination at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado Wednesday by acclamation after his tenacious former rival Hillary Clinton released her delegates before the roll call to announce that she was voting for Obama and his running mate, Joseph Biden. "With eyes firmly fixed on the future, and in the spirit of unity with the goal of victory, with faith in our party and our country, let's declare together with one voice right here, right now that Barack Obama is our candidate and he will be our president," she said asking the roll call to be cut short when time came for the New York delegation to vote. "Is there a second?" House Speaker Nancy Pelosi asked the crowd of more than 4,400 delegates. She pounded a gavel to declare the motion adopted when they affirmed with cheers Obama, the son of a black man from Kenya and a white woman from Kansas, as their choice to take on Republican John McCain in November.
The delegates held hands together up high, danced and swayed back and forth to the song "Love Train" in celebration of the moment as Pelosi announced a little later that Obama had accepted the nomination and would tell them so himself in his acceptance speech Thursday night.
"Yes we can," the crowd chanted. "Obama!" Later former President Bill Clinton too endorsed Obama's candidature saying he was "ready to be president", after months of attacks from Hillary Clinton supporters on the Democratic nominee's lack of experience.
"Last night Hillary told us in no uncertain terms that she is going to do everything in her power to elect Barack Obama," said Clinton. "That makes two of us-actually that makes 18 million of us," he said, referring to the number of Democratic primary voters who backed Hillary Clinton.
In honour of Clinton's historic primary battle as a female candidate that caused 18 million cracks in the highest glass ceiling as she called it, the former first lady's name had been put on the ballot along with Obama in a symbolic gesture. As Obama arrived in Denver, Clinton released her delegates Wednesday afternoon, allowing those who had been pledged to her to vote for whomever they choose in a roll call vote later in the day. "This was such a competitive primary season," Clinton told her delegates in a packed ballroom at the Denver Convention Centre, "I want you to know this has been a joy. Boy did we have a good time trying."
Clinton has strongly urged her backers to support Obama, but some appear to be backing Republican John McCain in growing numbers. A CNN poll taken at the end of June indicated that 16 per cent of Clinton's supporters intended to vote for McCain. A new CNN poll, conducted Saturday and Sunday, showed that 27 per cent of her voters now said they supported the Republican candidate. It also found that 60 per cent of voters said they believe McCain would better handle the issue of terrorism, whereas 36 per cent have more faith in Obama. A majority also said it believes McCain is more likely than Obama to be a strong and decisive leader.

Pakistan squad for Champions Trophy

Shoaib Malik (capt), Salman Butt, Nasir Jamshed, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul Haq,Shahid Afridi, Kamran Akmal (wk), Bazid Khan, Khalid Latif, Shoaib Akhtar, Sohail Tanvir, Umar Gul, Iftikhar Anjum, Abdur Rauf, Saeed Ajmal .
There you go guys, there is our team chosen for the champions trophy. Lets dissect our this selectionand i will let you guys decide what you make of it. Why don’t we start with our own (pyare) Captain? Looking at his recent performances there is a great argument if he even belongs to the national team. His decisions are very debatable and his performances have not been up to the mark for a long time. Is he a opener, 2 down, 4 down or is its 5 down guy. Can anybody tell me his place or what rank does he play on. When he is doing captaincy he is seen lost, You see him doing press conference and he is scratching all his body and getting upset on reporters He should be rather be upset on his decisions on the ground and his batting. He himself is responsible for repeating same mistakes again and again like trying Kamran Akmal as an opener although he has failed countless times as a opener. I don’t want to even talk about how many catches will Kamran drop that will make me go on writing on this blog forever. Kamran can drop catches and let the guy score 100, that’s acceptable since Kamran scored a fifty also. Am I missing something here, is that the logic here (confused). Lets move on to other guys and my favorite Shahid Afridi. Can somebody please give me a reason for hisselection? Please I beg you what will he have to do to get him kicked out of the team. I guess he will have to quit cricket and only than our chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed would not consider him.People vouch for his bowling which also has been below par for the longest time. On top of it he missed all of the practice matches , plus his injury and he still gets selected. WOW. Only in pakistan if i may say you get to hear and see such mind boggling things. Moving on, Shoaib Akhtar is fit again (hip hip hurray), I think he will be able to bowl his first spell and then he will need treatment..hahaha. I think that’s how much fit he is. Umar Gul and SalmanButt coming from injuries god knows how much fit they are. Khalid Latif wont likely get a chance to play may be one match if he is lucky. Who knows how Bazid Khan will perform as he has to fill Mohammed Yousuf’s shoes. After saving Pakistan from an embarrassment from Hong Kong Fawad Alam is left out from the team As Shoaib Malik will say “Array warna Afridi bhai team mein kaisay atay agar fawad ko khilatay". Fawad has been wasted so many times in previous series, I don’t remember the captain giving him chance to come early and perform so he can show his true talent. Poor guy is being wasted away as so many talented guys in Pakistan.

The End or a New Beginning

Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf on Monday announced that he was stepping down from the post, amid tremendous pressure from the ruling coalition government to do so. “For the sake of the nation and people, I’m resigning. I don’t want anything from anybody. I’m not vindictive. Let the people be the judges. Let them do justice. I’m going with the belief that I have done everything for the nation with honesty,” Musharraf said in a live televised address to the nation. The President added that he will submit his resignation to the National Assembly in a shortwhile. Senate Chairman Mohd Mian Soomro will meanwhile take over as Acting President. While announcing his decision to step down, a emotional Musharraf said, “Even if the impeachment motion (to be brought against him) is defeated, the relationship between the President and the government will not be alright.” There might also be tensions between the Parliament and judiciary and even the Army might get dragged into it, he added. “I’m worried Pakistan is going down abyss rapidly, poor people are being affected,” he said. Quoting recent opinion polls, Musharraf said that 80% of the population wanted him to stay. “But I’m resigning so that there should be no more uncertainty in Pakistan,” he added. An emotional Musharraf asked his supporters to accept his decision for the sake of the country, saying, “If this (the current impasse with the ruling coalition) would have been on a personal level, I would have done something else.” On the plans to impeach him, an aggressive Musharraf said that he was not afraid of any chargesheet. “Not even one charge can stand against me,” he said, adding “but the question is: should a personal issue lead the country into an instable phase. Can the country take any of this? Will it be right that the office of the President be subjected to impeachment?” “I may win or lose impeachment, but the people, the nation will definitely lose. I love Pakistan. I’m ready to give my life for the nation. I will never do anything that puts nation in the peril.” In a bid to seek Musharraf’s impeachment, Pakistan’s ruling coalition has prepared a chargesheet against him, which was to be filed in the National Assembly today. At the start of his speech, Musharraf said that it was a day of important decisions for him, adding God is with him. “Seen Pakistan through worst times” The President also said that he has seen Pakistan through the worst of times in the last eight years. The challenges that Pakistan has faced and successfully tackled during my tenure have never been faced by any other Pakistan ruler, Musharraf added. “When I took over Pakistan’s reign in 1999, the country was in tatters. It was set to be declared a terrorist state. I have worked hard for last eight years and turned challenges into opportunities,” Musharraf said further in his address. “I am proud I have kept Pakistan intact,” he added. The ex-General further said that he has kept Pakistan and its people in mind whenever trying to resolve any problem. “I gave a slogan ‘Pakistan first’ from the core of my heart,” he added. He also lashed out at the current rulers, saying some people who have always kept their self-interest above Pakistan’s are leveling false allegations against him. “They have cheated Pakistan’s people,” he added. Talking about reconciliation, Musharraf said that he always wanted that and is ready to create an atmosphere for that. As proof of his sincere attitude, the President said that he was never involved in politics of vendetta and victimization of anybody. Enumerating the highlights of his rule, Musharraf said that the economy was sound when he was at the helm of power. He talked about the GDP which was at 7% as late as December 2007 and that Pakistan was rated high by international rating agencies. But over the past eight months, the economy has begun a downslide, with foreign exchange reserves, stock exchange, currency rates falling. Prices of all essential commodities have also increased, he added. Apparently, moved by the importance of the “moment” in his life, Musharraf said, “I thank the defence forces for their loyalty and also the people of Pakistan for the love they bestowed on me. I’m a common man, part of the middle class. I know their difficulties. I hope the government looks into it.” He went on to call upon ‘Allah’ to keep his Pakistan safe and solve the problems of its people. The man who ruled Pakistan for nine long years, in a way played a crucial part in the sub-continent’s history, bid adieu by saying, “Pakistan Khuda Hafiz.” Musharraf gets farewell guard of honour Looking sombre, Musharraf inspected the guard of honour presented by a tri-services contingent on the forecourt of the Presidency. A military band played martial tunes during the brief ceremony. Musharraf then shook hands with members of his staff at the Presidency before leaving the imposing building in the heart of Islamabad for the last time. He then drove to his camp office in the nearby garrison city of Rawalpindi. Where will Musharraf go? The announcement of resignation came amid conflicting reports that Musharraf might go in exile. Reports also suggested that a Saudi plane is on a standby at the Rawalpindi airport, fuelling speculation that Musharraf might fly to Saudi Arabia after his address to seek asylum in the Islamic Kingdom. It may be noted that top US officials have said that granting asylum to the beleaguered Pakistan President was not on the cards. Some reports also suggested that the former Army Chief may seek refuge in Turkey where he owns a house and spent his formative years. As of now he will be staying at the Army House until the government takes a decision on him. Sources said that he has been assured of a safe exit by the Army and has been assured security in Pakistan. "Technically, Musharraf can stay for another one month in the Army House but will be provided security as a former President," said an official. However, neither Musharraf in his televised speech nor the ruling coalition have said a word about his future. Replying to a question, Information Minister Sherry Rehman said that the coalition leaders will decide on Musharraf's future. Musharraf seized power in a bloodless military coup in 1999 and then imposed a State of Emergency in November last year to push his re-election to another five-year term through the Supreme Court.

Happy Independence Day to all the Pakistani and Indian friends out there.

German Rapist to die in Delhi

Rapists to die
Delhi An Indian court sentenced two taxi drivers to death for raping and murdering an Australian tourist four years ago. Emelie Griggs, 59, arrived in Delhi on March 17, 2004, to enrol in a meditation course, but was raped and killed. (Reuters)

Police quell Montreal riot

Montreal Rioters burnt cars and three Canadian police were injured in a predominantly Haitian district of Montreal. More than 500 police were deployed and six people were arrested in the riots after police shot dead a Haitian man. (AFP)

Dr. Afia Siddiqui missing since 2003

An MIT-educated Pakistani woman once identified as a possible Al-Qaeda associate has been brought to New York to face charges she tried to kill US agents and military officers during an interrogation in Afghanistan, federal prosecutors said. Aafia Siddiqui, who was shot and wounded last month during the confrontation, was expected to be arraigned in federal court in Manhattan on charges of attempted murder and assault, US Attorney Michael Garcia said in a statement. A lawyer for her family said the allegations are false. A Pakistani government statement said the country’s ambassador to Washington had sought consular access to Siddiqui. US prosecutors and Afghan police gave different accounts of her arrest and the shooting incident.
Federal prosecutors said in a statement that Siddiqui, 36, was arrested outside the governor’s office in Afghanistan’s Ghazni province on July 17 after police searched her handbag and found documents on making explosives, excerpts from the book “Anarchist’s Arsenal” and descriptions of New York City landmarks. While detained in a meeting room, Siddiqui grabbed an M-4 assault rifle from a US Army warrant officer who had placed the weapon on the floor not knowing she was being held there, the statement said. Two FBI agents were also in the room. Siddiqui fired at least twice at the captain but the shots missed as a military interpreter lunged at her. The warrant officer then shot her with his pistol, the statement said. “Despite being shot, Siddiqui struggled with the officers when they tried to subdue her; she struck and kicked them while shouting in English that she wanted to kill Americans,” it said, adding she then lost consciousness and was given medical treatment. The Afghan police in Ghazni told a different story. They said officers searched Siddiqui after reports of her suspicious behavior and found maps of Ghazni, including one of the governor’s house, and arrested her along with a teenage boy.
US troops demanded the woman be handed over to them but the police refused, a senior Ghazni police officer said. US soldiers then disarmed the Afghan police, at which point Siddiqui approached the Americans complaining of mistreatment by the police, the officer said. The US troops, the officer said, “thinking that she had explosives and would attack them as a suicide bomber, shot her and took her.” The boy remained in police custody.
Siddiqui and her three children disappeared from her parents’ home in the port city of Karachi in 2003 and Pakistani human rights groups said they believed she had been held at Bagram, the main US base in Afghanistan, all these years. Her family yesterday sought her repatriation, terming the US accusations an attempt to “cover up” her five-year illegal detention, rape and torture at Bagram. The family said Siddiqui and her children were in fact arrested by Pakistani intelligence agents in Karachi in March 2003, after she was the subject of an FBI alert for alleged links with Al-Qaeda. At an emotional press conference in Karachi, her sister Fauzia Siddiqui said: “After five years of detention, Aafia was suddenly ‘discovered’ in Afghanistan? I am not that much of a believer in coincidence.” The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan also termed the US claims as lies. “To say that she had been taken into custody only on July 17, 2008 is a blatant lie,” it said. “The insinuation that she had been hiding with her children since 2003 is a travesty of truth.” “Dr. Aafia’s case is a reminder of the grave injustice done to God knows how many Pakistanis in US detention facilities in Bagram in Afghanistan, Guantanamo Bay and elsewhere, who have been listed as missing,” the commission said in a statement. US intelligence agencies have said that Siddiqui has links to at least two of the 14 men suspected of being high-level members of Al-Qaeda who were moved to Guantanamo in September 2006.
A US government statement said Siddiqui helped Majid Khan, a former Baltimore resident and terrorism suspect held in Guantanamo, get documents to re-enter the United States. The statement said Ali Abd Al-Aziz Ali, known as Ammar Al-Baluchi ordered Siddiqui to help Khan in his paperwork.

Baby of a surrogate Indian mother in legal limbo

The future of a 12-day-old baby girl born to an Indian surrogate mother hung in legal limbo Wednesday after the Japanese couple who planned to take her home divorced. Manji Yamada was born last month after eggs from an Indian donor were fertilised using the Japanese man's sperm and implanted in the womb of the surrogate Indian mother. Her biological father split from his wife after the fertilisation process, and his former spouse no longer wants the baby.
In the absence of a surrogacy law in India, the child -- who is an Indian citizen -- will have to be adopted by her Japanese father Ikufumi Yamada, 45. But Indian law does not allow the adoption of a girl by a single father, lawyers and doctors said. "There is a legal complication as the father is alone and Indian adoption law says a single male can't adopt a girl," Sanjay Arya, the doctor who is looking after the baby, told AFP by phone from western Jaipur city. Manji cannot leave the country without a passport and is being looked after in Jaipur by her paternal grandmother and an Indian friend of the father. "Yamada went to the local passport office. He was told to go to the Japanese Embassy, which asked him to get a document from an Indian court to get custody of the child," Arya said. "He felt like a football." The baby's father and grandmother were present at the hospital for her birth. Yamada has since returned to work in Japan, and is expected to come back to India after some headway has been made. "I spoke to him today. He can't plan anything till the baby's passport is made," said Ikufumi's friend, Kamal Vijayvargiya, who consulted legal experts. Arya, the doctor, said lawyers would file a court petition on Thursday seeking adoption by the father and temporary custody of the child by the grandmother till then.
"The surrogacy doesn't matter. He is, after all, the biological father," the doctor said.
Manji was born on July 25 in western Gujarat state. The child's father, identified by the Indian media as a Tokyo surgeon, moved her to Jaipur city in Rajasthan state after serial bomb attacks in Gujarat in which some 50 people died. "The baby is alright, but the grandmother is very tense," and wants to take the infant back to Japan as soon as possible, Arya said.
The baby's fate made front-page news in Indian dailies. "Conceived in Japan, stuck in Jaipur" read the headline of the largest-selling English daily, The Times of India, saying the baby could become the country's "first surrogate orphan" if the problems were not resolved.
"With India emerging as a destination for surrogate pregnancies, a law (to regulate surrogacy) will have to be brought into effect," leading lawyer Indira Jaising told the Indian Express newspaper. Critics call the practice "wombs for rent," but surrogacy has emerged as a booming business in India. Gujarat's Anand town -- where the baby was born -- has emerged as India's surrogacy centre after the high-profile case of a woman who gave birth to her own grandchildren on behalf of her British-based daughter in 2004. Surrogate mothers in Anand charge about 100,000 rupees (2,500 dollars) for a pregnancy and have been approached by a number of overseas Indian and foreign couples who can have a surrogate baby at a fraction of the cost in Western countries. Surrogate mothers are often poor women who opt to carry a stranger's baby to help pay education and housing costs for their own families.