The Indian Prime minister Mr Singh who arrived in Washington USA as first state guest of Obama’s administration in an interview with CNN has questioned America’s wisdom in regarding Pakistan as a key ally in the war against extremists. PM Singh said: ‘Pakistan’s objectives in Afghanistan are not necessarily in harmony with American objectives.’ Having said that, who am I to judge whether the Pakistan government and the Pakistan army is moving to remove the Afghan Taliban?’ Yes it is true Pakistan army is not operating to remove the …

German Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg has said ‘We need more than just words. We need action also in Afghanistan by the Afghan government“. He was speaking hours after Karzai spoke in his inauguration speech.
In his inauguration speech, Karzai described corruption as a ‘dangerous problem’ and promised to organize a conference to find ways to counter the scourge. Karzai won plaudits for his inauguration speech from Western officials including the US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, who said it was an “important new starting point” as the US-led war stretches …

More than 700 global thinkers from 60 countries have gathered in Dubai to seek solutions to some of the key issues faced by the global leadership in a three day Global Agenda Summit conference that will formulate some suggestions for the next year’s annual World Economic Forum in Davos.
Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai while addressing about 700 delegates of the Global Agenda Summit Conference said that the UAE economy is recovering from the impact of the global financial crisis. He further said:
The measures …

According to Colliers International’s House Price Index, there has been a 7% increase in the value of residential properties in Dubai between July and September, the first increase since the market fell. Property prices in Dubai returned to approximately the same level as those recorded in second quarter 2007 in September.
Apartment prices increased by 6% quarter on quarter, villa prices increased by 9% and townhouse prices increased by 7% compared to the second quarter.The overall volume of market transactions increased by 64% during the third quarter compared to the previous …

More than one million UAE residents are suffering from diabetes despite better health services and better awareness, Dr Abdul Razzaq Al Madani, chairman of the Emirates Diabetes Association told a diabetes congress.
Dr Razzaq said an equally high number of people are pre-diabetic, a condition where the blood sugar level is high, but not high enough and that they could turn diabetic over a period of time.
The speaker told 700 delegates the situation is grim and the five Gulf States – UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman – and that …

The European Union’s support for Pakistan’s counter-terrorism strategy should be widely welcomed. Undoubtedly, Pakistan has convinced foreign partners that Pakistan is serious about fighting the militants who threaten the stability and integrity of the country because of the ongoing military operation in south Waziristan.
We are mistaken if we believe that we will have a free hand in spending the 300 million euros a year aid that the European Union is giving us. It is time that our politicians realized that aid offered by the international community always comes with ‘strings’ …

Afghanistan’s Independent Election Commission (IEC) has  called off a runoff scheduled for November 7, 2009 after Dr. Abdullah Abdullah the only challenger withdrew from run-off. Consequently IEC has declared  Hamid Karzai elected as president of Afghanistan.
The Independent Election Commission’s chief Azizullah Ludin told a news conference:
The Independent Election Commission declares the esteemed Hamid Karzai as the president … because he was the winner of the first round and the only candidate in the second round.
Dr. Abdullah quit the election process because of his doubts over the legitimacy of the election. …

Abdullah Abdullah who indicated his withdrawal from the Afghan Presidentail run-off elections has annouced that he will be no longer running for elections on November 7, 2009. Mr. Karzai’s only challenger in the Afghan run-off has accused the government not meeting the demands for a fair election free from frauds.
Dr. Abdullah told the reporters:
As far as I’m concerned, the decision I have reached is not to participate. I have strong, strong reservations about the credibility of the process.
Karzai who had been favorite to win the run-off after getting more votes …

World Bank has expressed its dissatisfaction over the pace of progress on revenue reforms in Pakistan, attributing it to resistance from ‘vested interest’ and ‘lack of political will.’
According to a report of the World Bank Review Mission submitted to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) the World Bank has advised the government of Pakistan to bypass the parliament and implement taxation reforms through a presidential ordinance. The report suggests that going to the parliament could result in ‘undesired consequences’.
The report said:
The government of Pakistan has some options to follow …

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton answered critical questions on US policy in Pakistan while unveiling cash for universities and calling for peace with India.
Hillary Clinton earlier visited a mosque in Lahore on the second day of a visit focused on public diplomacy and strengthening moves towards democracy.
Clinton’s visit to the second largest city in Pakistan, which has been hit by a series of gun, suicide and grenade attacks this year, has been accompanied by draconian security measures a day after a car bomb killed 104 in Peshawar.
Clinton said:
Horrific bombing’ …