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Oil prices plunge below 50 dollars per barrel: NEWYORK: Oil prices crashed below 50 dollars a barrel on Thursday as plunging equities and weak US data sparked fresh fears that a worldwide recession would ravage energy demand.In New York, light sweet crude for delivery in December plunged 4.00 dollars a barrel to close at 49.62.The December contract expired at the close after hitting an intraday low of 48.64 dollars, a level last seen in May 2005.The contract had not been below the 50-dollar level since January 18, 2007.The New York contract broke the psychological barrier shortly after Brent North Sea crude for January crashed it in London.Brent fell as low as 47.82 before settling 3.64 dollars lower at 48.08 dollars a barrel.Analysts said sentiment was hammered by a dismal unemployment report in the United States, the world's biggest energy consumer.Official data showed initial claims for unemployment benefits shot up to a 16-year high last week as the economy appeared to be headi...

Oil prices plunge below 50 dollars per barrel: NEWYORK: Oil prices crashed below 50 dollars a barrel on Thursday as plunging equities and weak US data sparked fresh fears that a worldwide recession would ravage energy demand.In New York, light sweet crude for delivery in December plunged 4.00 dollars a barrel to close at 49.62.The December contract expired at the close after hitting an intraday low of 48.64 dollars, a level last seen in May 2005.The contract had not been below the 50-dollar level since January 18, 2007.The New York contract broke the psychological barrier shortly after Brent North Sea crude for January crashed it in London.Brent fell as low as 47.82 before settling 3.64 dollars lower at 48.08 dollars a barrel.Analysts said sentiment was hammered by a dismal unemployment report in the United States, the world's biggest energy consumer.Official data showed initial claims for unemployment benefits shot up to a 16-year high last week as the economy appeared to be headi...

Clinton accepts Obama sec. of state offer: U.S. media WASHINGTON: New York Sen. Hillary Clinton has accepted an offer from President-elect Barack Obamato become U.S. secretary of state, U.S media confirmed on Friday, quoting two Clinton associates. "She's ready," one of the sources told US T.V channel, which said Clinton came to her decision after additional discussions with Obama about the nature of her role as the top U.S. diplomat and his plans for foreign policy. Democratic Party sources have said Clinton was on track to be nominated, with an official announcement expected after the Nov 27 Thanks giving holiday. U.S. opposes Chinese reactor sales to Pakistan WASHINGTON: The United States this week objected to Chinese plans to build two nuclear reactors in Pakistan near Chashma. Senior Pakistani officials announced last month that China had agreed to build two additional reactors at Chashma, where Beijing has already built one nuclear power station and is erecting anot...

RAWALPINDI: Anti-Terrorism Special Court, indicting the accused associated in the conspiracy for murder of Benazir Bhutto, adjourned the hearing here until November 29.Benazir Bhutto murder case accused under arrest-- Rafaqat, Husnain, Sher Zaman, Abdul Rashid and Aitzaz Shah were given a hearing by the Special Court Judge, Chaudhry Habibur Rahman, where all the accused refused to accept the charges leveled against them. The three associate accused in the case-- Aitzaz Shah, Sher Zaman and Abdul Rashid are blamed only for having prior information relating to the terrorism activity, but they didn’t inform the police and other relevant authorities, while the two remaining accused—Rafaqat and Hasnain have been charged for formally associated with the conspiracy to murder Benazir Bhutto and for facilitating the suicide bombers.Naseer Tanoli and Khurram Quraishi advocates on behalf of the accused, while Raja Yasin on behalf of government as public prosecutor appeared during the hearing tod...

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's top Islamic body on Saturday banned Muslims from practicing yoga, saying the Indian physical exercise contains elements of Hinduism and could corrupt Muslims. The National Fatwa Council, which has the authority to rule on how Muslims must conduct their faith, issued a fatwa, or edict, saying yoga involves not just physical exercise but also includes Hindu spiritual elements, chanting and worship. Council chairman Abdul Shukor Husin told reporters that many Muslims who practice the globally popular yoga failed to understand that its ultimate aim was to be one with a god of a different religion. ``We are of the view that yoga, which originates from Hinduism, combines physical exercise, religious elements, chanting and worshipping for the purpose of achieving inner peace and ultimately to be one with god,'' he said. ``It is inappropriate. It can destroy the faith of a Muslim,'' he said. The Fatwa Council's decisions are not legally binding ...

After hosting two seasons of Kaun Banega Crorepati Amitabh Bachchan took a break but it seems that he will return to the small screen once again. It is learnt that television production house Endemol has offered a quiz game show called 1 vs 100. Looking at the success of KBC and the style of hosting ability of Bachchan, the producers have approached the Big B for their latest show. According to a source, though this show was first offered to Aamir Khan and then Hrithik Roshan, Bachchan has always been their first choice. Both the actors refused to host it as they are busy with their respective films. However they felt that Bachchan is apt for the show called 1 vs 100, in which one player competes against 100 people in a quiz contest. Apparently Bachchan is yet to take a call on it as he was offered this show just before he fell ill. If everything goes well then we will see Bachchan interacting with people on this quiz show.

ANCHORAGE: Oprah Winfrey wants her, and so do other US TV show hosts. Fresh from her political defeat, Sarah Palin is juggling offers to write books, appear in films and sit on dozens of interview couches at a rate that would be astonishing for most Hollywood stars, let alone a first-term governor. The failed Republican vice presidential candidate, who is still Alaska's governor, crunched state budget numbers this week in her 17th-floor office as tumbling oil prices hit Alaska's revenues. Meanwhile, her staff fielded television requests seeking the 44-year-old Palin for late-night banter and Sunday morning Washington policy. Agents, including those from the William Morris Agency, have come knocking. There's even been an offer to host a TV show. ``Tomorrow, Gov. Palin could do an interview with any news media on the planet,'' said her spokesman, Bill McAllister. ``Tomorrow, she could probably sign any one of a dozen book deals. She could start talking to people about...