B4U India

Aloo Masala (Batata) Poha - Healthy Breakfast

Sat, 19 Jul 2008 21:07:10 -0400

"Aloo Poha", or "Batata Poha", as its called in most places in Gujarat and Maharashtra, is a very well-known and easy-to-make light snack. Mostly savored as a healthy breakfast in most Indian homes, Aloo Masala Poha mainly consists of puffed rice flakes & potatoes, but it has evolved over time to include cooked veggies like boiled potatoes, onions, peas, carrots and coriander. Low in fats and carbs, and high in fiber and vitamins, this is a perfect breakfast meal. It is also popular as a...

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Hong Kong from the peak on a summer's night

Sat, 19 Jul 2008 18:00:58 -0400

Hong Kong from the peak on a summer's night

Pak Taliban threatens to kill hostages, security operations in Hangu continue

Sat, 19 Jul 2008 10:48:00 -0400

The Pakistani Taliban has threatened to kill dozens of hostages, including police officers, paramilitary fighters and even state bank officials if the government released four of their comrades captured last week.

The standoff has grown into one of the most serious recent challenges to the government’s resolve to curb the militants’ rapid expansion.

The threat comes just 10 days before Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani is scheduled to meet with President Bush at the White House.

So far, the government has held firm, sending hundreds of soldiers to the area, Hangu, in North-West Frontier Province, to engage in the first real fighting with the militants since the two sides agreed to a new series of peace deals this year.

The operation against the extremists continued for the fourth day all across the district here on Saturday. Security forces have taken control of Zargari, Shinwari and Duaba areas.

Senior Hangu district officials told Geo News that the dialogue process in the area continued and efforts were afoot for resolving all the matters through talks, but added that curfew has been re-imposed.

Earlier, curfew had been lifted after easing of tension in the Hangu Bazaar. Zargari, Shinahwari, Shamsuddin Banda and the adjoining areas were being combed for flushing out the extremists.

Pakistan defence services spokesman Major General Athar Abbas told Geo News that so far 10 extremists have been killed and several injured. He also confirmed that five security personnel had been wounded, and added that foot soldiers, gunship helicopters were also taking part in the operation.

Meanwhile, people are being shifted to safer places. Relief camps for the affected persons have been set up at Bagtu, Hangu and Kohat. (ANI)

Vote casting for Nepal president, vice president concludes

Sat, 19 Jul 2008 10:48:00 -0400

The casting of votes for electing Nepal''s first president and vice-president concluded a short while ago. The result is expected to be announced later this evening, marking a historic moment in the Himalayan country.

Of the total 594 voters who are registered, 578 cast their votes, while the remaining 16 opted to stay away from the voting centre.

According to Kantipur, the Rastriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal, National People’s Front Nepal and Nepal Workers and Peasants Party boycotted the election.

Voting began at around 11:15 a.m. at the International Convention Centre in Kathmandu and concluded at 2:30 p.m.

Maoist candidate Ram Raja Prasad Singh, Nepali Congress (NC)’s Dr Ram Baran Yadav and Communist Party of Nepal- Unified Marxist-Leninist (CPN-UML’s) Ram Prit Paswan are vying to be Nepal’s first president.

Likewise, Maoist’s Shanta Shrestha, Nepali Congress’ Maan Bahadur Bishwakarma, UML’s Asta Laxmi Shakya and MPRF’s Parmananda Jha are the candidates for the vice-presidential post.

Earlier, voting was delayed for some time as new alliances were formed among the parties at the eleventh-hour.

The Election Commission had extended the voting period till 2.30 p.m. It had earlier fixed the time of voting from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

If no candidate is able to secure a majority, a re-election will be carried out between the two candidates securing the highest votes.

The Constituent Assembly will fix a new date for re-election if such a situation arises. (ANI)

Pak decides to liberalise trade with India to address its global trade deficit

Sat, 19 Jul 2008 10:47:00 -0400

The Pakistan Government has reportedly decided to liberalise trade with India, by adding more products to the list of importable items (from India). Pakistan government sources say that cheaper raw materials from India would make Pakistani products more competitive in the international market.

Announcing the government’s decision to further liberalise trade with India, Pakistan’s Minister of Commerce Chaudhry Ahmad Mukthar said in his trade policy speech: “We are allowing import of diesel and fuel oil from India, because it will be cheaper due to the difference in transportation cost. This will also help us to address our global trade deficit.”

“We are announcing to enlarge the list of importable items from India, which is based on the requests of our stakeholders. Cheaper raw material sourced from India would make our exports more competitive in international market,” the Daily Times quoted him as saying.

He said that the composite dialogue process, especially on economic and commercial cooperation has been instrumental in addressing the bilateral issues.

Stainless steel and cotton yarn is importable from India by train, he said and added that in order to further reduce the cost of doing business, it has been decided to allow their import by trucks through Wahga as well.

He also announced various other measures that allow import of, or relax rules for import of various items. He said that in order to reduce the cost of manufacturing of liquefied gases etc, it has been decided to allow import of used cryogenic containers/cylinders by industrial consumers provided the Department of Explosives gives a prior NOC and the containers/cylinders are not older than 10 years, are refurbished prior to shipment and it is confirmed by a duly notified independent international certifying body that such containers/cylinders are compliant with international safety standards. (ANI)

Nepal Police detain 100 Tibetan separatists in Kathmandu after anti-China rally

Sat, 19 Jul 2008 10:47:00 -0400

Nepali Police have detained about 100 Tibetan separatists who were involved in anti-China activities in Kathmandu.

The separatists were apprehended after they tried to throng the Chinese Embassy''s visa office. In the process of doing so, they blocked a street that was already choked with heavy traffic.

According to China''s official news agency Xinhua, Nepal Police had to step in and disperse the rally, when the demonstrators shouted anti-China slogans and reiterated demands for a free and independent Tibet. During the ensuing melee, some Tibetan leaders of the rally climbed the wall of a nearby cinema, and instigated others to ignore the police''s attempts at dissuasion.

Xinhua quoted the Kathmandu Police Control Center as saying that the detainees were supposed to be released after being questioned in various police stations.

The Government of Nepal has repeatedly said that Tibet is an inalienable part of China, and that it will not allow any anti-China activities on its territory.

Tibetan separatists have staged frequent anti-China protests in Kathmandu since mid-March. The activities often turned ugly, leading to disruptions of city traffic and clashes with police which injured Nepali policemen.

Chinese Ambassador Zheng Xianglin said last month that there were criminal acts of beating and smashing by Tibetan separatists in Kathmandu against other Tibetans who either refused to take part in anti-China activities or held different positions from the separatists. (ANI)

Taliban ban dealing with Afghan trade centre

Sat, 19 Jul 2008 10:46:00 -0400

The Taliban have reportedly banned entry of vehicles from Pakistan into the Shorawak district of Kandahar province, and asked people not to deal with the trade centre at Poti Mandi in Afghanistan.

A pamphlet said to be issued by the extremist group ‘Mujahideen Islami Emarat-i-Afghanistan’ said: “There is a complete ban on entry of small and big vehicles into the Shorawak trade centre both from inside and outside Afghanistan.”

The pamphlet, distributed on Friday in villages of the Noshki district, warned that no-one should have trade relations with the centre.

It also warned that no vehicle should enter the Shorawak district from Pakistan or from Spin Boldak and Raigistan areas of Afghanistan. “All vehicles entering the area will be attacked and burnt,” the Dawn quoted the pamphlet as saying. (ANI)

Four policemen killed in Kandahar roadside bomb blast

Sat, 19 Jul 2008 10:46:00 -0400

Kabul, July 19 (ANI): At least four policemen were killed on Saturday in a roadside blast in Kandahar, southern Afghanistan.

Police officials in Kandahar province said the blast struck a patrol in Maywand District.

Another policeman was wounded in the attack. (ANI)

Now hyper-inflation-hit Zimbabwe to release a 100 billion dollar note

Sat, 19 Jul 2008 10:46:00 -0400

Grappling with record 2.2 million per cent inflation, Zimbabwe has introduced a new 100-billion-dollar bank note in a bid to tackle rampant cash shortages.

According to The Australian, the new note will go into circulation from Monday.

In January, a 10-million-dollar note was issued, then a 50-million-dollar note in April. In May, notes for 100 million and 250 million dollars were issued, swiftly followed by those for five billion, 25 billion and 50 billion.

The southern African nation has been ravaged by hyperinflation, which shot up from 165,000 per cent in February to 2.2 million in June.

Independent economists however believe the official inflation figure is grossly understated, estimating it could be running between 10 million and 15 million per cent.

Zimbabwe''s chronic economic crisis has left at least 80 per cent of the population living below the poverty threshold and shortages of basic goods in shops. (ANI)

Dry cleaning boss hopes to set record with 60 hours ironing non-stop

Sat, 19 Jul 2008 10:45:00 -0400

A dry cleaning boss is attempting to enter the Guinness Book of World Records by ironing non-stop for 60 hours.

Ben Walton began his attempt on Thursday, July 17 morning at a supermarket ironing items brought by shoppers.

The 32 year old in Andover, Hants hopes to complete his challenge by 8pm tonight

He hopes to raise 25,000 pounds for the hospital where his son was born.

"My wife never has to do the ironing," the Mirror quoted Ben as saying.

Canadian Suresh Joachim holds the earlier record for ironing up to 55 hours and five minutes in 2005. (ANI)