SYDNEY : Australia’s Prime Minister Kevin Rudd Friday shrugged off US President Barack Obama’s decision to postpone next week’s visit, saying he would be welcome any time.

Rudd said he had spoken to Obama about the move to reschedule the trip as the president wrestles with landmark healthcare legislation, and hailed his close relationship with the American leader.

“I’m going to be very happy any time the president chooses to visit,” Rudd told the Seven Network TV station.

“I know President Obama pretty well. It would be nice to have him and Michelle and the kids.

“I spoke to him on the phone this morning: he’d like to have a more relaxed visit than the 24-hour whip in, whip out that the last one had come down to.”

Obama had already delayed his visit and trimmed it from three days to one, opting to leave his wife Michelle and two daughters behind. The tour, also taking in Guam and Indonesia, has been put back until June.

Rudd, who has also seen legislation blocked by the Australian Senate, said he sympathised with Obama’s “massive” healthcare project and described the US leader as “a lot of fun”.

“We talk from time to time and he’s got a great sense of humour but it would be breaching all protocols to go to the content of conversation,” he said.

“But it’s a good relationship and he’s doing

SYDNEY: Pregnant women may be far more at risk from swine flu than thought, according to a survey published on Friday that was carried out in Australia and New Zealand.

An investigation carried out among American women between April and May last year, in the first month of the H1N1 virus’ outbreak, suggested pregnant women were four times likelier to develop severe illness requiring hospitalisation compared with non-pregnant counterparts.

But the new paper, published online by the British Medical Journal (www.bmj.com), found in a small sample that the risk of critical illness was between seven and 13 times as much.

From June 1 to August 31 last year, 209 women of child-bearing age were admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) in Australia and New Zealand with confirmed swine flu, 64 of whom were either pregnant or had recently birth.

The fact that almost one in three of the admissions were women who were pregnant or post-partum was significant, says the paper.

When extrapolated to the child-bearing population of both countries, a pregnant or post-partum woman with H1N1 was more than seven times likelier to be admitted to an ICU compared to a non-pregnant counterpart who also had flu.

In the case of flu-infected women who were more than 20 weeks’ pregnant, ICU admission was 13 times higher than a non-pregnant, infected counterpart.

The study also showed high rates of ventilator and oxygen use to help the pregnant women breathe.

Seven of the women died, four babies were stillborn and three died in infancy.

Of the surviving births, 22 were pre-term and 32 needed treatment at a neonatal intensive care unit.

None of the women had been vaccinated against seasonal flu, despite recommendations that pregnant women be immunised.

In an editorial, Stephen Lapinsky, a professor of critical-care medicine at the University of Toronto in Canada, said mortality from H1N1 during pregnancy seemed high, although not as bad as in previous flu pandemics.

In the 1918-9 outbreak of so-called Spanish flu, which slew tens of millions of people, maternal mortality was reported in one study to be as high as 27 percent, while in the 1957-8 “Asian” flu pandemic, which may have killed two million, half of the women of child-bearing age who died were pregnant.

“Despite evidence of an increase in maternal mortality after infection with H1N1, in the later phases of the pandemic its effect on pregnant women has been less than was initially anticipated,” said Lapinsky.

This could be explained by vaccination advice and early use of antiviral drugs to women with flu symptoms of flu, he suggested.

H1N1 caused at least 16,713 deaths as of March 7, according to a March 12 posting on the World Health Organisation website (www.who.int).

Amy Holmes, Amy M. Holmes (born in 1973 in Lusaka, Zambia) is a conservative political contributor for  She has also appeared on Real Time with Bill Maher several times. Holmes graduated from Princeton University with a BA in economics in 1994. She is an independent conservative.

Holmes was born to a Zambian father and a Caucasian American mother. She was raised in her mother’s native Seattle, Washington after her parents divorced when she was three. She has co-hosted The View and co-hosted CNN’s Glenn Beck while Beck was on the road with his “Unelectable” show. Holmes wrote Senate floor statements for Bill Frist, a two-term United States Senator from Tennessee and the Republican Majority Leader from 2003 until his retirement in 2007. She is currently an anchor of a morning radio program syndicated by the Washington Times newspaper called “America’s Morning News”. Holmes is skeptical that global warming is caused by human activity.

NEW DELHI: In Hockey World Cup 2010 Germany will play England in the first semi-final, while the second semi-final will be played between Australia and the Netherlands.

From Pool B, Australia and England easily qualified for the semi-finals. Both teams got 12 points each from 5 matches. While Australia lost only to England, England lost the last game to Spain.

The Pool A witnessed tough competition among three teams – Germany, the Netherlands and South Korea. While Germany qualified for the semis with 11 points from 5 matches, the Netherlands and South Korea were tied at 10 points each from 5 matches.

The Netherlands were lucky enough to sail through the semi-finals on a better goal difference, despite their shocking 1-2 loss to South Korea in the last group match yesterday. They had won the first three matches, but drew the fourth with Germany and lost the last one to South Korea.

Unfortunately, no Asian team could qualify for the semi-finals of the World Cup Hockey 2010. Only South Korea put up some good efforts will play Spain for 5-6 spot now. India may finish either 7th or 8th, while Pakistan will have to content with either 11th or 12th position.

Sunan International Airport (IATA: FNJ, ICAO: ZKPY) is the main airport serving Pyongyang, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, located 24 km from the city’s center.

Sunan has two runways, the largest of which (01/19) is used mainly for international flights. The second runway (17/35) is used for domestic and civil flights[citation needed]. The airport’s hours of operation are from 06:00 to 22:00 in the summer and 07:00 to 21:00 in the winter[citation needed].

The airport is the main hub of Air Koryo. In 2000, Aeroflot discontinued its weekly Moscow flight due to poor loads. China Southern Airlines, which offered scheduled charter flights to and from Beijing during the peak season only, permanently pulled its flights in November 2006. In April 2008, Air China has reestablished service to Beijing, 3 days per week. Mandarin Airlines offers group tour chartered flights between Taipei and Pyongyang during summer (June to August)[citation needed]. Korean Air and Asiana Airlines also provide chartered flight services to Incheon, the international airport serving Seoul, and Yangyang on the east coast of South Korea from Pyongyang. These flights are used by Korean family members visiting divided family across the border.

Asian Cup 2011 Qualifiers, The AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011™ Finals jigsaw puzzle was completed Wednesday after Australia, Kuwait and Jordan took up their places for next year’s continental footballing extravaganza.

The trio’s qualification ticked off the final 16 names in the hat for the April 23, 2010, draw in the host city of Doha, the capital of Qatar.

The Socceroos were the first to breast the tape yesterday with a 1-0 defeat of Indonesia at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.

That left Kuwait needing a point off Oman in Muscat later and this was duly accomplished, thanks to a goalless draw.
Jordan beat Singapore 2-1 and their victory combined with the other group match result in which Iran beat Thailand by a solitary goal saw the West Asians rejoice at the packed King Abdullah Stadium in Amman.

The group standings were also finalised after the match day 6 action.

QUALIFIED TEAMS FOR AFC ASIAN CUP QATAR 2011™ FINALS

Direct bye to the Finals
AFC Asian Cup 2007: Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Korea Republic
AFC Challenge Cup 2008: India
AFC Challenge Cup 2010: DPR Korea
AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011™ hosts: Qatar

Eligible through qualifying
Group A: Japan, Bahrain
Group B: Australia, Kuwait
Group C: UAE, Uzbekistan
Group D: Syria, China PR
Group E: IR Iran, Jordan

NAPIER: Scott Styris went from probable 12th man to match-winner after guiding New Zealand to a two-wicket victory in a tense chase of 276 in Napier.

Styris began the day outside New Zealand’s starting XI but was called in late due to Daniel Vettori’s stiff neck, and the inclusion helped Ross Taylor start his international captaincy career on a high.

Styris sealed the win with a six over long-off from the second ball of the 50th over from Doug Bollinger and finished unbeaten on 49 from 34 deliveries, with Shane Bond also at the crease on 11. The pair had combined for a 35-run stand that meant Jacob Oram did not have to bat after suffering a potentially serious injury to his left knee in the field.

Although it was Styris who saw the chase home from No. 7, fittingly it was the fill-in captain Taylor who had put New Zealand in a winning position with his 70 from 71 deliveries.

The late withdrawal of Vettori had the potential to ruin New Zealand’s victory chances. He is their captain, a selector, their best bowler, an important lower-order batsman and in his spare time probably maintains the New Zealand Cricket website. But New Zealand showed that Australia, who made seven changes from Sunday’s Twenty20 side, were not the only squad with depth.

Daryl Tuffey bowled well, James Franklin stepped up as a bowler in Oram’s absence, Peter Ingram gave them a good start to the chase and Styris did the rest. The key to New Zealand’s chase was getting a strong start and a 75-run opening stand from McCullum and Ingram fulfilled that requirement.

McCullum looked set to continue the form he showed on Sunday when he posted a Twenty20 century. He took to Bollinger early and flicked short balls comfortably off his hip behind square, and drove with supreme power through the off side. Ingram (40) began in scratchy fashion and for a while looked outclassed, until he got a few away off the middle of the bat through the off side against Ryan Harris.

Eventually Ingram tried to lift Mitchell Johnson over mid-off only to see Michael Hussey sprint back to take a wonderful catch with the flight of the ball. Bollinger was understandably elated when he cramped McCullum and drew an inside edge onto his stumps for 45 from 43 deliveries. From there, Taylor’s confidence and Styris’ calmness finished the job.

Taylor was aiming to be there at the end but his departure, caught at deep midwicket off Shane Watson, gave Australia a sniff. In the finish, it wasn’t enough to save Australia from their first defeat in their past 14 one-day internationals. They were punished for posting a below-par 275 for 8 on one of the best batting surfaces they had seen.

Watson seemed to think the Twenty20 series was still going as he struck 14 from the opening over off Tim Southee and dented a green plastic seat in the stands with a powerful pull for six off Bond. Australia reached 50 in the sixth over but things slowed significantly when Watson lifted Oram to deep midwicket and was well taken by Ingram for 45 off 31 balls.

Michael Clarke (22) was surprised by a snorting bouncer from Tuffey and fended an edge behind, and the bowler also collected Cameron White for 33 with a delivery that jagged back and took the off stump.

It wasn’t until Hussey (59) and James Hopes (33) came together that Australia found another half-century stand to follow the 50 compiled by the openers Watson and Brad Haddin.

The only negative for New Zealand in the field was the injury to Oram.

Watch Jordan vs Singapore live stream online free March 3, 2010 – Information of the match between Jordan vs Singapore kickoff and schedule TV on Wednesday, March 3, 17:00 CET live at Amman Stadium in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers. So guys, Which team will be the winner of this match? Jordan or Singapore? Check it out yourself ! Okay guys don’t miss to watch Jordan vs Singapore free live stream on your PC. We hope The fans of both team can enjoy with the live score,  Jordan vs Singapore  preview, recaps and highlights here.
Jordan vs Singapore

AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers: Jordan vs Singapore

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Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Tuesday announced flats for Ms. Naseem Hameed and Ms. Sara Nasir who won gold medals in South Asian games.
The Prime Minister appreciated the talent of the athletes and asked them to focus on their upcoming competitions. The athletes called on the Prime Minister at the Prime Minister Secretariat this evening.
The Prime Minister said the government believes in promoting sports at all levels to channelize the energy of youth in healthy activities. Talking to the athletes, Prime Minister said they have set an example for all youngsters who have talent and want to achieve the highest level. He also assured to direct all sports federations to arrange such events to facilitate the young talent and help them meet international standards.

Thanks for your comments

BERLIN : Asian vets to Take on Hollywood Greats at Berlin Film Fest, Asian movies will take pride of place this week at the 60th Berlin Film Festival, one of world cinema’s top showcases, as new pictures by Roman Polanski and Martin Scorsese make their red-carpet premieres.

Hollywood stars will rub shoulders with Asian legends in the snowy German capital for the anniversary edition of the 11-day Berlinale, which will kick off Thursday with “Apart Together” by Wang Quan’an of China.

German director Werner Herzog (“Grizzly Man”) will lead a seven-member jury including Oscar-winning actress Renee Zellweger, which will choose among 20 nominees for the coveted Golden and Silver Bear top prizes on February 20.

“Apart Together” is a period drama about a soldier forced to flee Mao’s forces for Taiwan in 1949 who reunites decades later with the love of his life.

Japanese master Yoji Yamada, the maker of more than 80 films in his four-decade-long career, will bring down the curtain on the event with an out-of-competition screening of his latest picture, “About Her Brother”.

“Nearly half the main showcase films are family films, although most of those families are fairly dysfunctional,” Berlinale chief Dieter Kosslick quipped.

Chinese veteran Zhang Yimou (“Hero”) will present “A Woman, A Gun and A Noodle Shop” while Koji Wakamatsu of Japan will unveil “Caterpillar”. And Bollywood heart-throb Shah Rukh Khan is due in town with “My Name is Khan”.

The 67-year-old Scorsese’s thriller “Shutter Island” starring Leonardo DiCaprio will get its world premiere in Berlin but screen out of competition.

Meanwhile all eyes will be on Polanski’s “The Ghost Writer”, which he completed while under house arrest at his Swiss chalet awaiting possible extradition on US charges dating from the 1970s over his admission of having unlawful sex with a 13-year-old girl.

The movie is based on the bestseller “The Ghost” and sees Ewan McGregor discovering skeletons in the closet of a former British prime minister modelled on Tony Blair (Pierce Brosnan).

While the French-Polish director, 76, will be absent, his stars are expected at the gala premiere in the 1,600-seat Berlinale Palast theatre.

German director Oskar Roehler has generated pre-festival buzz for “Jew Suss” about the making of the notorious Nazi-era anti-Semitic film of the same name.

“In it, you can see the kind of moral conflicts in which artists, in this case actors, can find themselves,” Kosslick said.

Provocative British director Michael Winterbottom, a favourite on the festival circuit, will screen “The Killer Inside Me” with Jessica Alba, Casey Affleck and Kate Hudson in the story of a Texas sheriff’s dark secret.

And reclusive British graffiti artist Banksy, who has kept his identity a mystery, is due to make a low-profile visit for a documentary about his work, “Exit Through the Gift Shop”.

Also keenly awaited is a screening for the masses at the Brandenburg Gate of a restored version of the 1927 groundbreaking German classic “Metropolis” — complete with lost footage unearthed in Argentina two years ago.

The Berlinale, which ranks second only to Cannes among European film festivals, has a history of opening doors for smaller pictures.

Last year’s laureate, “The Milk of Sorrow” by Peru’s Claudia Llosa, is now nominated for the best foreign-language film Oscar and has had a respectable run in international art-house theatres.

“You have to compliment the Berlinale for discovering at an early stage what is cutting-edge in cinema and for having a sense what will move audiences,” Jan Schulz-Ojala, chief critic of Berlin’s daily Der Tagesspiegel.

But he was concerned that in an anniversary year, the biggest names were directors in their twilight years such as Scorsese, Polanski and Yamada.

“It worries me to see that because I think it may then be harder to draw the best mid-career directors, who may just go to Cannes in the future,” he said.