Newsflash: Christopher Kane, Erdem and Marios Schwab earn Fashion Forward 2009 sponsorship

The winners of the Fashion Forward 2009 sponsorship has been announced with the award going to Christopher Kane (S/S 2008-9 pictured, left), Erdem, and Marios Schwab.

The financial bonus offered by the British Fashion Council each season helps designers put together their catwalk shows for London Fashion Week, as well as allowing them access to business support.

The trio have benefited from the scheme before, winning the award along with Roksanda Illincic, last year.

"We are thrilled about winning Fashion Forward sponsorship! Showing in London is paramount to us as a brand, the sponsorship will not only allow us to show but also to grow as a company," said Erdem.

Read more »

US job losses reach 34-year high

US employers axed 533,000 jobs in November, the biggest monthly cut since 1974, the US Labor Department said.

In a dramatic indication of the worsening situation in the economy, the US jobless rate rose to a 15-year high of 6.7% from 6.5% in October.

Since these latest figures were compiled, further jobs losses have been announced, including big cuts at AT&T.

The grim economic data pushed Wall Street shares down by 2.5% while oil fell to a near four-year low of $40.

Recent data has fuelled fears that the world's biggest economy is set for a deep, long downturn.

"This was much worse than was expected and represents wholesale capitulation. The threat of a widespread depression is now real and present," said Peter Morici, a professor at the University of Maryland School of Business.

Reacting to the unemployment data, US President-elect Barack Obama said: "There are no quick or easy fixes to this crisis, which has been many years in the making, and it's likely to get worse before it gets better."

In the past six months the US has lost 1.55 million jobs, almost as many as were lost in the whole 2001 recession

Ian Shepherdson, High Frequency Economics

Read more »

Bomb blast in Peshawar kills 21, injures over 90

Updated at: 1928 PST, Friday, December 05, 2008

PESHAWAR: At least 21 persons were killed and over 90 others injured in a high intensity explosion in Koocha Risaldar located behind Qisa Khawani Bazar in Peshawar on Friday.

Police sources confirmed the above casualties which resulted after an explosives-laden car blew up in the narrow and congested ally having shops on both sides.

The injured, including women and children, were shifted to different hospitals of the city including Lady Reading Hospital where emergency has been declared.

Power went off in the area after the explosion, plunging the area into darkness.

Ambulances and rescue teams headed towards the blast site – a congested area which has been cordoned off by the police.

Windowpanes of the nearby buildings were shattered by the blast which also damaged many shops and vehicles. The blast also triggered fire which is being extinguished by the fire fighters.

IG NWFP, Malik Naveed Khan talking to Geo News said about 20 to 25 kilograms of explosives were used in the blast which was planted in a car.

He said the explosion has left a crater on the ground which indicates the blast was not a suicide attack.

Read more »

Ronaldo named European footballer of the year

LISBON: Cristiano Ronaldo has been crowned European Footballer of the Year.

Ronaldo, 23, won the prestigious trophy after scoring 42 goals as Manchester United won the Champions League and Premier League last season.

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi was second and Liverpool striker Fernando Torres was third. The only real disappointment for Ronaldo came at Euro 2008.

Read more »

Pakistan must cooperate with India: U.S.

WASHINGTON: The White House on Thursday called on Pakistan to "act with resolve, urgency" in cooperating with India on the probe into attacks in Mumbai that stoked tension between the nuclear rivals.

"Pakistan needs to act with resolve, urgency. They need to cooperate fully and transparently and they need to keep the line of communication open between their country and India," said spokeswoman Dana Perino.

Read more »

UK to tighten rules for immigrants to get British citizenship

LONDON: The UK plans to unveil tougher citizenship rules under which immigrants will have to "earn" their right to stay by integrating themselves fully to the British society, including acquiring a sound knowledge of English.

Under the proposed changes to rules, immigrants will have to "earn" the right to a passport rather than simply achieving it through five years' residence. The measure will end the automatic right to stay and replace it with a new system of "earned citizenship" and temporary residence.

The latest measure announced by the Home office proposes that immigrants making little effort to integrate into the British society will have to wait longer for citizenship.

Immigrants convicted of serious criminal offences could be barred from citizenship and those found guilty of minor crimes may face delays in having their applications processed.

Those seeking citizenship will have to demonstrate a good ability in English and a knowledge of life in Britain.

Immigrants who do no voluntary work will qualify only after eight years and those who become unemployed will be asked to leave.

The government proposes to levy a top-up fee on immigrants to create a fund expected to run to 20 million pounds. Cash from the fund will be districted to local authorities facing short-term pressure because of an influx of migrants.

Read more »

Indian intelligence agencies turn on each other over Mumbai attacks

MUMBAI: Indian intelligence agencies have started a blame game against each other in the wake of Mumbai terror attacks as it has exposed the country’s inability to act against the terrorism.

Various intelligence agencies of India, which have long denied contacts with each other, are now engaged in a struggle to avoid the blame.

Just one week after the Mumbai attacks, there are reports that Indian intelligence agencies were aware of the threats in the country’s financial capital. These reports have attracted a huge public fury about the agencies.

“There are over a dozen intelligence agencies in India, however, they lack the ability to integrate the information. They are also not answerable to any central command. These agencies have links with police, army and national security secretariat,” an analyst said.

“The non-cooperation between these agencies has sent a message to the terrorists that they can cause a split among them and may easily come and ago as per their will,” said the analyst.

Mumbai is the center of Western Naval Command and is located near country’s atomic installations and oil resources.

A think tank of Delhi-based research organization said the operation against terrorists in Mumbai was not being commanded by one person. Police, para-military, fire fighters and coast guards were conducting the operations separately. They were not being supervised by one in-charge, that is why, 10 boys succeeded to hold hundred of people hostage.

Read more »

Bolta Pakistan –4th December 2008

Mushtaq Minhas and Nusrat Javed present another fresh episode of Bolta Pakistan and talk with Raja Abdul Rehman, Syed Fakhar Imam, Ahsan Iqbal Sec. information(PML-N), Ch. Abid Shar Ali Chairman

to Watch program Online Visit: Bolta Pakistan –4th December 2008

Read more »

Live With Talat – 4th December 2008

Syed Talat Hussain bring fresh episode of Live With Talat in AAJ TV.



To watch program online Visit: Live With Talat – 4th December 2008

Read more »

Capital Talk – 4th December 2008

Hamid Mir bring a fresh episode guests include Lt. Gen.(R) Hamid Nawaz Former Fed. Min. for Interior, Dr. Pervez Hoodbhoy Prof. Nuclear Physics, Quaid-i-Azam University, Najamuddin Shheikh Former Foreign Secretary, Advocate Ahmer Bilal Sufi Expert International Law, Dr. Samar Mubarik Mand Atomic Scientist.

to Watch Program Online Visit : Capital Talk – 4th December 2008

Read more »

Off The Record – 4th December 2008

Kashif Abbasi presents fresh episode in ARY ONE WORLD Talking with Nazar Muhammad Gondal Minister for Food & Agriculture, Humayun Akhter Khan Leader(PML-Q), Ahsan Iqbal Sec. Information(PML-N).

To Watch Program online Visit: Off The Record – 4th December 2008

Read more »

4 Man Show - 1 December 2008

Zaid Zaman Hamid in latest episode of 4 Man Show from AAJ TV.





To Download Video Visit: 4 Man Show - 1 December 2008. Video is in " flv " format.

Read more »