Oil prices up in Asian trade

SINGAPORE: Oil prices rose in Asian trade Monday, driven by optimism in the financial markets ahead of an expected US government announcement of a plan to sell toxic assets, analysts said.

New York's main futures contract, light sweet crude for delivery in May, was up 30 cents to 52.37 dollars a barrel. The Nymex contract for April delivery expired on Friday.

Brent North Sea crude for May delivery gained 45 cents to 51.67 dollars.

"Right now, the crude oil market is primarily driven by the financial markets," said Victor Shum, an analyst with energy consultancy Purvin and Gertz in Singapore. "What we are seeing in the crude oil market is a financial rally."

The US government is expected to to unveil the plan as early as Monday to sell toxic assets weighing down the financial system.

US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner would detail the "Public Private Investment Programme" to entice hedge funds and other private investors into investing in bad assets choking banks' balance sheets, US officials said.



http://geo.tv/3-23-2009/37998.htm

NATO forces claim to have killed 10 Taliban in Afghanistan

KABUL: NATO forces claimed to have killed 10 Taliban including a senior commander.

NATO says its troops have killed 10 insurgents, including a senior commander in southern Afghanistan. NATO said Monday its troops targeted the compound of insurgent leader Maulawi Hassan in Helmand province. He and nine associates were killed. The attack took place Saturday.

NATO says Hassan was a senior insurgent figure in northern Helmand. Two NATO soldiers and a contractor were killed Sunday in the same region. Southern Afghanistan is the center of the Taliban insurgency, where thousands of new U.S. troops will deploy later this year to try reverse militant gains.


http://geo.tv/3-23-2009/38008.htm

Nation celebrating Pakistan Day today

ISLAMABAD: The nation is celebrating Pakistan Day on Monday with great zeal and enthusiasm in remembrance of “The Pakistan Resolution” passed on March 23 in 1940.

The day was dawn with special prayers for solidarity and integrity of Pakistan. Various programmes have been arranged to commemorate the most outstanding achievement of the Muslims of South Asia who passed the historic Pakistan Resolution in Lahore.

The events arranged on the day included rallies of Girl Guides, Boy Scouts and students and exhibition of documentary films for school children and the public.

Recitation of Holy Quran verses, debates, and essay competitions have been organized all over the country and prizes to awarded to winners. Poetry concerts were also held in major cities while sweets were distributed at orphanages and Darul Amans throughout the country.

All radio and TV stations broadcast and telecast special programmes on the day in which well-known workers of Tehreek-I-Pakistan have been invited to participate.

Governors and Chief Ministers hosted receptions at the provincial capitals. People belonging to all walks of life participated in Pakistan Day celebrations.

On this day in 1940, the Muslims of the Indian subcontinent had pledged to create an independent homeland, where they could live in accordance with their religious and cultural values.

From March 22 to 24, 1940, the All India Muslim League held its annual session at Minto Park, Lahore which turned historical.



http://geo.tv/3-23-2009/37986.htm

Zardari says his position not weakened by restoration of judges

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has said that his position has not weakened by the restoration of judges in the wake of long march.

In an interview to US media, President Asif Zardari said, “We didn’t receive a single dollar for fighting war against terror and war against terrorism could not be fought sans world assistance”.

President Asif Zardari further said that the victory in war against terrorism was possible, but for this US and Britain’s assistance would be required.


http://geo.tv/3-23-2009/38006.htm

PM leads tributes to Jade Goody

Prime Minister Gordon Brown is leading tributes to reality TV star Jade Goody who has died of cancer at 27, praising her as a "courageous woman".

Goody died at home with her family in Upshire, Essex, in the early hours of Sunday after a high-profile battle with cervical cancer.

Floral tributes at the mother-of-two's house have been steadily mounting since news of her death broke.

The prime minister said he was "deeply saddened" by the news.

"The whole country has admired her determination to provide a bright future for her children.

"She will be remembered fondly by all who knew her and her family can be extremely proud of the work she has done to raise awareness of cervical cancer, which will benefit thousands of women across the UK."

Mourners started arriving at the house to pay tribute to Goody within minutes of the news breaking.

Jackie Marron, who was among those leaving floral tributes at the gates, described Goody's work to highlight the risks of cancer as an "inspiration".

"The way she's done her things is absolutely fantastic... her courage, her guts," she added.

Goody's mother Jackiey Budden, who was at her side as she died, said: "My beautiful daughter is at peace. Family and friends would like privacy at last."

Details of the star's funeral have yet to be finalised but Goody's publicist Max Clifford said it was likely to be a "celebration" of her life.

Her cortege is likely to process through Loughton - near her home - after a church service, he said.

Goody shot to fame after being a contestant in the third series of Big Brother in 2002 and was taking part in a version of the show in India last year when she was told of her illness.

The disease spread to her liver, groin and bowel and she was told it was terminal in February.

Jeff Brazier, father of Goody's two sons Bobby, five, and Freddy, four said he was "grateful the boys were able to say their goodbyes and spend that precious time with their wonderful mother".

"Bobby and Freddie are my absolute priority and I will be doing everything I can to be their rock and to give them all my love and support to get them through a confusing and upsetting time."

Media interest

Goody's illness had featured in the media on a daily basis and she allowed digital channel Living to continue following her treatment as well as documenting her wedding to partner Jack Tweed a month before her death.

OK! magazine also paid a reported £700,000 to cover the event.

Writing on the mini-blog website Twitter, Stephen Fry said she was "a kind of Princess D from the wrong side of the tracks".

The pair met while guests on Jonathan Ross' BBC chat show. Fry said: "Poor, dear Jade... I warmed to her immensely. All impulsive spirit and smiles. What a life.

She was a very, very brave girl and she faced her death in the way she faced her whole life - full on, with a lot of courage Max Clifford Goody's effect on screening In Pictures: Jade Goody

"Jade lived life under a magnifying glass. Magnifying glasses magnify (obviously) but they distort and they burn."

Former dental nurse Goody, who shot to fame in the 2002 edition of Big Brother, felt the double-edged sword of fame when she appeared again, this time on Celebrity Big Brother in 2007.

She was accused of being racist after several heated rows with Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty.

Racing commentator John McCririck, who appeared on Celebrity Big Brother with her, said: "She brought out one of the most serious problems in this country, the inherent racism... that people try and keep quiet.

"It's about people who don't know they are racist but when they're losing an argument with somebody whose Asian or a black person they go back to the old stereotypes, and she did that."

Goody later said she was "embarrassed and disgusted" by her own behaviour.

Mourners have left floral tributes and personal messages

Fellow contestant, actress Cleo Rocos described how "she lived every second to its fullest exploding point" and said Goody took the highs and lows of her fast track to fame in her stride: "In a way, when she was criticised, you were criticising her directly, because she wasn't phoney, she never put up a pretence.

"She was Jade Goody, like it or lump it, that was her."

Goody and Shetty were later reunited on the Indian version of the show, Bigg Boss. It was on that programme that Goody learnt of her illness.

In a statement from Mumbai, Shetty said: "I am deeply saddened by the news but in hindsight glad she is out of pain and passed away peacefully in her sleep."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7957852.stm