Sunday, May 31, 2009

http://news.yahoo.com

Pakistan: Corpses lie exposed in retaken Swat town

By INAM UR-REHMAN, Associated Press Writer Inam Ur-rehman, Associated Press Writer – 2 hrs 37 mins ago

MINGORA, Pakistan – Corpses lay exposed in the Swat Valley's main town on Sunday, and residents rushed to mostly empty markets in search of food a day after the military claimed to have retaken the city from the Taliban.

Elsewhere in the northwest, officials said scores of militants were killed in fighting with soldiers that could signal Pakistan is expanding the offensive from Swat into other parts of the northwestern border region with Afghanistan.

Many buildings were damaged in parts of Mingora seen by The Associated Press, but not badly. Two decomposing bodies, apparently those of insurgents, lay unburied in a cemetery, while a third charred corpse lay close to a shopping mall. The smell of explosives hung in the air.

"We have been starving for many days. We have been cooking tree leaves to keep ourselves alive. Thank God it is over," said Afzal Khan. "We need food, we need help. We want peace."

Pakistan launched an offensive against militants in the Swat Valley and surrounding districts last month after they violated the terms of a cease-fire and advanced into a region close to the capital, Islamabad.

Speaking in Singapore, Pakistan's defense secretary predicted the army would retake the whole Swat region in "two to three days," giving hope some of the estimated 3 million refugees may soon be able to return home. Pakistan's military spokesman said that assessment was overly optimistic.

The Swat offensive has earned Western praise, as troops have regained large swaths of the region from an estimated 4,000 militants, but several places remain under militant control.

Saturday, May 30, 2009

http://www.pcworld.com

Bing vs. Google vs. Yahoo: Feature Smackdown

We compare top features of three search engines--Bing, Google, and Yahoo--in the ultimate search engine battle royale.
The Summer of Smartphones Begins

The Palm Pre and third-gen iPhone might be the biggest smartphone news this summer, but they're not the only phones coming soon. We recap all the Pre excitement from this week, and explain what is to come.

Friday, May 29, 2009

The Manila Times

SC sees merit in Villar case


		Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency agents escort actress Katrina Halili as she arrives at their office for drug testing on Friday, but she begged off to be tested, claiming she has to first file a libel case against Irene Kho, mother of Hayden Kho, at the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office. Photo by Ruy Martinez

Justices ask senators to reply to complaint

The Supreme Court has found “sufficient in form and substance” embattled Sen. Manuel Villar Jr.’s petition seeking to stop the Senate Committee of the Whole from continuing with its investigation of his allegedly unethical acts.

Full Story>>

KILLER FLU CASES UP AGAIN, NOW at 14

The Department of Health on Friday reported four more cases of the Influenza A(H1N1) virus in the country, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 14.

Full Story>>

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

www.yahoo.com

New airline offers $9 seats

The ultra-low-cost carrier will serve U.S. cities where major airlines don't dominate. » Launch date

Monday, May 25, 2009

www,yahoo.com

A grocery handler in a supermarket (iStockPhoto)

Doing well in the recession

Here are seven industries in America that are actually benefiting from the current downturn. » Essential services

Sunday, May 24, 2009

http://www.msn.news.com

Former South Korean president dead, leaves suicide note

SKoreans watch a TV screen broadcasting news on the death of former president Roh Moo-Hyun at a railway station in the southeastern port city of Busan. Former South Korean president Roh, who was at the centre of a multi-million-dollar corruption probe, plunged to his death off a mountainside on Saturday in an apparent suicide.

Former South Korean president Roh Moo-Hyun, who was at the centre of a multi-million-dollar corruption probe, plunged to his death off a mountainside on Saturday in an apparent suicide.

The 62-year-old Roh , who held office from 2003-2008 and was credited with striving to make South Korea more democratic, had left a suicide note before plunging to his death off a cliff, a former aide said.

"He jumped off a rock on the mountain at 6:40 am (2140 GMT Friday)," ex-chief presidential secretary Moon Jae-In told journalists.

"He left a short suicide note addressed to his family members."

Police in Gyeongsangnam province confirmed a suicide note was found on Roh's computer at his home.

"It has been so tough," local media quoted the suicide note as saying. "I caused so much trouble to many people.

"Please cremate my body. Please erect a small tombstone for me at the village."

Roh had left home around dawn with a bodyguard and climbed a mountain near his retirement village of Bongha, close to the southeast coast.

Saturday, May 23, 2009

www.yahoo.com

BMW X1

provided by

The Cars You'll Drive In 2014

Everybody knows the auto world has shifted. The trick is divining which brands have got the gumption to last.

Now, with President Obama's new efficiency standards requiring a fleet-wide fuel economy average of 35.5 miles per gallon, automakers have their work cut out for them.

MORE AT FORBES.COM

Domestic carmakers in particular are gearing up to battle forthcoming offerings from new-to-the-U.S.Fiat, with its diminutive 55.5-mile-per-gallon Fiat 500, and Chinese newcomer BYD, maker of the staid hybrid-electric F3DM sedan.

Motor City had better get cracking. It takes four years to produce a market-ready vehicle, and a typical lifecycle for one model is seven years. While we wait to see what brands emerge victorious, Honda's mod CR-Z and Ford's "eco-boosted" Euro models point to the types of cars we can expect by 2014.

Friday, May 22, 2009

American Idol winner 2009 5-20-09

Thursday, May 21, 2009

www.yahoo.com

May 21, 2009

'American Idol' finalists Adam Lambert and Kris Allen, on Wednesday, May 20, 2009. (Kevin Winter/American/Getty Images)

'This is crazy'

"Underdog" Kris Allen's win wasn't the only shocker of the "American Idol" finale. » Bikinis and blunders

» More:Featured Buzz

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Swine flu latest from the NHS

Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing

Cases of Swine flu in Japan have risen rapidly in recent days, from four cases on Friday to over 170 cases today. More than 4,000 schools and universities have also reportedly been closed. Japan now has the fourth-highest number of confirmed cases in the world, after the US, Mexico and Canada.

Meanwhile, The World Health Organization (WHO) is considering changing its policy on when to declare a pandemic. At present, this decision is based on the geographic spread of a virus, rather than its severity. Yesterday, the WHO heard arguments from the UK and Japan for a rethink.

Currently the WHO pandemic flu alert remains at Phase 5. A move to Phase 6 would mean emergency plans are triggered around the world. This would currently include switching production of seasonal flu vaccine to swine flu vaccine, which could leave parts of the globe without sufficient stocks to counter the normal winter flu season.

There are 107 confirmed cases of swine flu in the UK. Most cases are linked to either previously confirmed cases or are returning travellers.

http://www.nhs.uk

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

www.yahoo.com

May 19, 2009

Well-paid homegrown jobs

These outsource-proof professions can pay as much as six figures and are expected to grow. » Bright prospects

» More:Featured Buzz

Monday, May 18, 2009

Latest News-Msn Philippines News

A Sri Lankan Army photo shows government troops in northeastern Mullaittivu district. The leader of Sri Lanka's Tamil Tiger rebels, Velupillai Prabhakaran, was shot dead on Monday while trying to flee advancing troops, defence officials told AFP.

Tamil Tiger leader 'killed' by Sri Lanka troops

The leader of Sri Lanka's Tamil Tiger rebels, Velupillai Prabhakaran, was shot dead on Monday while trying to flee advancing troops, defence officials told AFP. Prabhakaran was with several close aides in a small convoy of a van and ambulance which tried to drive out of the battle zone when it was ambushed by commandos, the senior defence ministry official said.

Saturday, May 16, 2009

www.yahoo.com

Bedbug resurgence

The biggest bedbug outbreak since World War II has U.S. officials worried. » $50 million problem

» More:Featured Buzz

Campy trailer is a Web hit

'80s stars Deborah Gibson and Lorenzo Lamas battle a "mega shark" and giant octopus. » Not joking

Friday, May 15, 2009

Manny Pacquiao Defeats Ricky Hatton

pacquiao ko hatton with a left hook Lets first make one thing clear, Mayweather Jr. just came out of retirement and still Manny Pacquiao is the best pound for pound fighter in the world. There is no doubt about Pacquiao’s legacy after tonight’s drumming of Ricky Hatton. In fact did Ricky Hatton even show up for the fight, because over 16,000 fans at MGM and millions across the world just witness a very typical sparring session by Manny Pacquiao. Pacman almost felt like literally was the only fighter that showed up for the fight tonight. Manny finished the fight in absolute spectacular fashion as he gave Hatton three vicious knock downs that left Hatton sprawling helplessly on the canvass.

Referee Kenny Bayless never even had to count after taking one look at Hatton and immediately declaring the fight over at 2:59 in the second round, "I didn't have to count," Bayless said. The bell, which usually saves many fighters from defeat and the longevity of the fight came one second too late tonight. After the third knock down, Pacquiao fans all across the globe came to an uproar but were also left wondering what the heck happen to the so call brawling and aggressiveness of Hatton. I think its safe to say that maybe De La Hoya wasn’t just old, but Manny Pacquiao is really just that good. He left all the doubters to really reevaluate Pacquiao’s legacy in boxing and only one more fight to go to really shut their mouth up for good.

Hatton was viciously knocked out by Pacquiao and simply laid on the canvass for several minutes before he left for the hospital walking passed his fans with a wry smile on his face.

We all knew coming in Pacquiao was going to be the faster of the two fighter, but tonight he was also the stronger one and much more skilled as well. Manny connected 73 punches out of 127 which was vastly more compare to 18 out of 78 by Hatton. "I'm surprised the fight was so easy," Pacquiao said. "He was wide open for the right hook. I knew he would be looking for my left."

Hatton was suppose to bring a different game plan than his usual bulldog rushes, but it Manny’s game plan that got executed to perfection. Pacquiao kept evading all of Hatton’s rushes while at the same time nabbing him with counter punches that just kept on landing. The fight left many in disbelief that Hatton’s ability to out gun and out last his opponents was never displayed tonight. Hatton is a world-class fighter that prior to facing Pacquiao had lost just one fight, thereby leaving many particularly his fans in dismay. After the fight, Manny said to promoter Bob Arum, "Are you happy?" "You're going to be the greatest fighter who ever lived," Arum replied.
There is still a few more work that he must do before he can claim that, but Pacquiao has definitely stake a claim to being one of the greatest, especially following his spectacular defeat of De La Hoya.
Two surprising knockouts in the first round came on the blind side of Hatton that shook up Hatton and his confidence. "It was a hard loss but I'm OK," Hatton said. "I really didn't see the punch coming but it was a great shot. I know I'll be OK."
Maybe its time to give Freddie Roach a new nickname as well, such as Freddie “The Soothsayer” Roach after he predicted the fight going no more than three rounds just as he predicted De La Hoya was going to be knock out after nine rounds. "The fight was no surprise to me," Pacquiao's trainer, Freddie Roach, said. "We know he always pumps his hands before he throws a punch. He's a sucker for the right hook."

The legendary status keeps growing for Pacquiao and his mysticism, as a God in the Philippines will firmly carry on in history for centuries to come. Manny Pacquiao was simply the sharper, faster, and stronger fight tonight, and we all know he was just on a mission. He is left only with one more task before completing his mission as the best of the best, pound for pound fighter in the world. Yes, bring on Mayweather Jr., which is even more likely after Mayweather came out of retirement and is set to fight Juan Manuel Marquez on July 18th. Pacquiao may have been a national icon in the Philippines, but after tonight he has also become a world icon and idol across all continents. To those who still doubts whether Pacquiao can one day be the president of the Philippines, maybe its wiser not to doubt someone who never doubts himself. Manny Pacquiao once again proves why he is the best yesterday, today, tomorrow, and for all eternal into the annals of boxing history.