At least seven people were killed while 13 others were wounded when a bomb exploded in a car parked near the road in the Iraqi city of Fallujah, Iraq. The injured were shifted to the hospital for treatment. The number of deaths may increase.
Police added that the bomb exploded in a car parked about 150 meters from an army patrol.

Softball: Many gather to honor former Mater Dei pitcher Brianne Matthews, An estimated 1,500 people gathered Friday at the Huntington Beach Sports Complex for Brianne Matthews’ memorial service.

Before the service began, hundreds of people waited in line to hug family members of the star softball pitcher for Santa Ana Mater Dei. And high school softball and club teams huddled together, fully clad in their uniforms, consoling one other as they shed tears.

Matthews committed suicide at her Anaheim apartment on Feb. 25. The 16-year-old sophomore had a 4.0 grade-point average and had committed to play at the University of Arizona.

Her coaches and friends recalled her athletic and academic success, her infectious smile and her effervescent laugh.

“Her softball talent was obvious, but her personality was what was most remarkable about her,” said Orange County Batbuster Coach Gary Haning. “My memory of Bri will be of those of a rainbow, a shooting star, a sunrise. It’s not diminished by its brevity; you only wish it could still go on.”

Haning stressed to everyone in attendance that in times of pain and sadness there are always people to talk to and people who care.

“Keep this in mind when you don’t think you can go on,” Haning said. “Look at all of the people here whose life she touched — and this is just a small percentage.”

Bill Jackson, who coached Matthews when she was 11 to 14 on Firecrackers 93, said that he knew Matthews was remarkable the instant he met her. After all, she promised him that she’d throw the ball 65 mph when she turned 12, and she kept her word.

“She was the hardest-working athlete I’ve ever seen,” Jackson said.

Jackson said that he refuses to discuss why Matthews took her life, and encouraged others to follow his example.

“By discussing why, we’re implying that there’s a reason that could be good enough. There isn’t. Bri died of a broken heart. I believe she made a horrible decision in a moment of weakness,” Jackson said.

A Mater Dei softball teammate, Alyssa Yglesias, said the first thing that she noticed about Matthews was her wide smile and loving nature.

Yglesias admitted that she’s not an affectionate person, but said that changed after Matthews chased her around the school and gave her hugs.

“I like affection now,” Yglesias said.

The Mater Dei softball team is devoting this season to their departed teammate.

“Bri is our 10th man,” said Mater Dei pitcher Miranda Tamayo. “Although there’s only nine players on the field, she’s our 10th player on the field with us.”

Matthews’ catcher on the Orange County Batbusters, Shannon Bustillos, choked back tears as she spoke about her close friend.

“A bond between a pitcher and a catcher is like none other,” Bustillos said.

The two girls used to meet every Wednesday to practice, and Matthews would always want to warm up before the warm-up and practice after practice. Source and More

Crystal Bowersox has made it to the American Idol Top 12 finalists and despite a health scare last week when she had to go to the hospital due to complications with her diabetes, she is doing well and has quickly become a fan favorite.

Crystal Bowersox just says that she’s flattered to be considered a front-runner but that it’s still anyone’s guess who wins at this point.

At least 10 people were killed and eight others sustained injuries as a suicide blast rocked Tal Bazaar in Hangu, Dunya News reported on Friday. According to sources, a suicide bomber rammed an explosives laden vehicle into a security forces convoy near a petrol pump. Contradictory reports are being told about the death toll. Commissioner Kohat said that 12 people have been killed in the blast while 10 casualties are confirmed by the hospital sources.
Security forces cordoned off the area after the blast. Injured have been shifted to CMH where condition of some of the victims is stated to be critical.

Osmond Family Tragedy, Seventies pop icon DONNY OSMOND has been forced to scrap his Down Under tour after suffering a double family tragedy in the space of just two days. The PUPPY LOVE singer, who was due to tour New Zealand and Australia later this month (MAY06), has cancelled the dates to mourn the death of his mother-in-law and take care of his ailing father. Osmond was still grieving a day after learning his mother-in-law, MARJORIE GLYNN, had lost her battle with cancer on 22 April(06) when his 88-year-old father fell and broke his hip, according to American tabloid the National Enquirer. A family insider tells the publication, “He (Osmond) put everything on hold to spend time with his mother-in-law and to support his wife during her time of need. “The next day Donny’s father GEORGE broke his hip, and was rushed to the hospital. He’s since had two surgeries to help repair the hip.”

Security forces killed some four militants during a search operation in Charsaddah.
The security forces raided a house of one Jan Shah in Umar Zai and gunned down four militants during a clash, while as many security personnel got injured. The injured officilas have been shifted to the hospital.

Anjali Tendulkar, 42, is a paediatrician and daughter of Gujarati industrialist Anand Mehta and Annaben Mehta. In 1995, Sachin Tendulkar married Anjali.They have two children, Sara, 12, and Arjun, 10,.

At present she is working with JJ Hospital in Mumbai. She is said to be his support, striking a perfect balance between Sachin’s glorious cricketingand family life and often keeps low profile, avoiding media publicity.

Anjali Tendulkar, 42, is a paediatrician and daughter of Gujarati industrialist Anand Mehta and Annaben Mehta. In 1995, Sachin Tendulkar married Anjali.They have two children, Sara, 12, and Arjun, 10,.

At present she is working with JJ Hospital in Mumbai. She is said to be his support, striking a perfect balance between Sachin’s glorious cricketingand family life and often keeps low profile, avoiding media publicity.

A day before unveiling the Union Budget, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee has tabled the Economic Survey in Parliament. India’s GDP expected to grow at 8.5% in 2010-2011.

Besides the Survey, the Minister will also present the report of the 13th Finance Commission on sharing of taxes between the centre and states for the five-year period beginning April 2010, along with an action taken report.

The Survey, which will provide the outlook for 2010-11, is expected to project around 7.5 per cent economic growth rate during the current fiscal, which will be marginally higher than 7.2 per cent estimated by the Central Statistical Organisation (CSO).

Previous Survey, which was tabled in July by Mukherjee, had said the economy, despite the impact of the global financial crisis, could expand up to 7.75 per cent. It was reiterated by the Minister when he presented the Mid-Year Review of the Economy in December.

Driven by stimulus package, the economy during the second quarter of the fiscal ending September grew by 7.9 per cent, much above the expectation of the analysts.

The survey is also expected to underline the need for fiscal consolidation as the deficit of the government is estimated to shoot up to 6.8 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) during 2009-10 from 6.2 per cent a year ago.

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan News: A two-member bench of the Supreme Court has recommended to the Chief Justice for constitution of a larger bench for hearing of a petition with regard to appointment of the judges.

The bench also issued notices to the federation, Attorney General and four provincial advocate generals for delay in appointment of judges in the apex court.

A two-member bench of the court comprised of Justice Rehmat Hussain Jaffery and Justice Shakirullah Jan heard constitutional petitions with regard to appointment of the judges.

M. Akram Advocate in his arguments during the hearing contended that the judges should be appointed on vacancies within 30 days period and delay in it is equal to non-compliance of the court.

Justice Shakirullah in his remarks said appointment of judges in high courts is discretion of the Chief Justice.

The court also called the record of the proceedings of the case and adjourned hearing till February 18.