“CSI” showrunners renew deals

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – Two “CSI” franchise showrunners have renewed their deals, each signing long-term production agreements with CBS TV Studios.

Entertainment | Television

“CSI” chief Carol Mendelsohn and her “CSI: Miami” counterpart Ann Donahue have re-upped for four more years.

Mendelsohn’s contract includes running both “CSI” and the upcoming CBS legal drama “The Defenders,” which will air on Wednesday nights at 10 p.m. this fall.

A four-year contract is considered a longer-than-usual agreement for a showrunner deal, but “CSI” and its spinoff are considered staples of the network’s lineup. This fall, “CSI” will continue to anchor the network’s Thursday night, with star Laurence Fishburne recently renewing his agreement for another season. “Miami” will shift from its Monday perch to Sundays.

Moreover, “CSI” is sold in more than 200 territories and is considered the most popular drama series in the world, according to a Eurodata TV Worldwide survey.

Libyan, Swiss foreign ministers sign agreement

June 13 (Reuters) – The foreign ministers of Libya and Switzerland signed an agreement on their relations on Sunday, a Reuters reporter at the signing ceremony said.

The agreement was signed by Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey and her Libyan counterpart Moussa Koussa, the reporter said. Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos was also present. There were no details immediately available on the content of the agreement. (Reporting by Ali Shuaib; Writing by Christian Lowe)

India, Oman armies to hold joint military exercise in 2011

Muscat, May 18 (ANI): Enhancing bilateral relations between India and Oman, visiting Defence Minister A.K. Antony has said that both countries will jointly take part in a military exercise in India next year.

Addressing Indian diaspora here, Antony said: ””We have conducted joint military operations with the Omani forces and we are exploring further avenues of co-operation in trade and commerce among others.””

He emphasised that bilateral relations will witness bolstered relations between both nations.

””The bilateral relations between India and Oman are centuries old. We consolidate our relations on a regular basis while exploring newer avenues of mutual co-operation,”” he added.

He also held wide-ranging talks with his Oman counterpart Sayyid Badr bin Saud bin Harib Al Busaidi.

The two leaders discussed ways to promote military cooperation between the two countries, Gulf News reports.

This is the first high-level Indian delegation to visit Oman after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh”s trip in 2008.

Antony is accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Defence Secretary Pradeep Kumar. (ANI)

Pak to approach talks with India with ‘positive’ and ‘constructive’ mindset: Qureshi

Islamabad, May 14 (ANI): Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said his country would approach the dialogue process with India with a ‘positive and ‘constructive’ mindset with a view to address all pending issues, including Kashmir.

Qureshi expressed these views during a joint meeting of the Standing Committees on Foreign Affairs of the Senate and the National Assembly here, The Daily Times reports.

He also briefed diplomats, officials and other present in the meeting about the telephonic conversation that he had with his India counterpart SM Krishna earlier this week, and said that he would stress on resolution of all issues on the basis of equality and mutual respect during the planned talks between the two leaders on July 15.

Qureshi also informed that a meeting of foreign secretaries of the both countries would be held in Islamabad in June to chalk out the agenda for the July 15 talks.

On Tuesday, May 11, Qureshi had a conversation with Krishna over the telephone, and invited him to visit Islamabad for follow up talks after the meeting between the Prime Ministers of the two countries on the sidelines of the XVIth South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation in Thimpu last month. (ANI)

Obama, Karzai play down US, Afghan differences

Washington, May 13 (ANI): President Barack Obama and his Afghanistan counterpart Hamid Karzai on Wednesday sought to play down differences on various issues between the two countries during a press conference at the White House after a bilateral meeting on Wednesday.

The highly choreographed joint news conference in the White House East Room saw Obama making a few allusions to the existence of corruption and drug trafficking in Afghanistan, but he added that “progress that has been made” to halt corrupt acts.

The two leaders painted a picture of an Afghan-American relationship that was cordial and full of shared goals.

“We are reaffirming our shared goal to disrupt, dismantle and defeat Al Qaeda and its extremist allies,” Obama said.

With a smiling Mr. Karzai standing by his side, the New York Times quoted Obama, as saying: “With respect to perceived tensions between the U.S. government and the Afghan government, let me begin by saying a lot of them were simply overstated.”

Obama said that he supported Karzai’s efforts to reach out to some Taliban followers, adding that as long as they renounced their ties to Al Qaeda and extremism, the government could “reintegrate those individuals into Afghan society.” (ANI)

Pak Foreign Minister likely to visit Delhi in end May

By Naveen Kapoor

New Delhi, May 5 (ANI): Keen on taking the bilateral dialogue process forward, Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi is expected to visit New Delhi to meet his counterpart S M Krishna, which will be followed by a meeting of Foreign Secretaries in Islamabad, according to the diplomatic sources.

The Prime Ministers” of both countries met during the XVIth SAARC summit at Thimphu last week and asked their foreign ministers and foreign secretaries to work on modalities for restoring trust and to meet as soon as possible.

It is expected that the two foreign ministers may meet before the Indo-US strategic dialogue to be held in Washington on June 3.

Although the dates for Foreign Minister Qureshi”s visit to India are still being worked out, it is most likely to take place at the end of the month, sources said.

Islamabad is keen for a resumption of the suspended composite dialogue, whereas New Delhi says both countries should not get stuck in nomenclature and have an “all encompassing” dialogue on all issues of mutual concern. (ANI)

Dr. Singh a ‘visionary’ who has ‘his heart in the right place’: Qureshi

Thimpu, Apr.30 (ANI): Showering praise on Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has described him as an ‘academic’ and a ‘visionary’ who has ‘his heart in the right place.’

Talking to media persons after a significant 50-minute long meeting between Dr. Singh and his Pakistani counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani on the sidelines of the XVIth South Asian Association for Regional Conference (SAARC) summit here, Qureshi said the meeting was held in a positive atmosphere, and that both the leaders resolved to solve the long pending issues between two countries.

“He (Dr. Singh) has his heart in the right place. He is a well-meaning man. He is an academic. He is a visionary. He wants to move on,” Qureshi said.

Qureshi said during the talks Gilani also invited Dr. Singh to visit Pakistan.

“Prime Minister Gilani invited him (Dr.Singh) to visit Pakistan. He said he would love to visit Pakistan,” The News quoted Gilani, as saying. (ANI)

Will they, won’t they? Ambiguity persists over Manmohan-Gilani meeting

Islamabad, Apr.27 (ANI): Ambiguity still persists over the meeting between Prime Minister Dr.Manmohan Singh with his Pakistani counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani, with the latter saying that no meeting has been planned on the sidelines of the 16th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Summit to be held in Thimphu on April 28 and 29.

Talking to reporters before leaving for Thimpu, Gilani said no meeting has been planned with any state of head, who would be participating in the two-day summit.

He, however, added that he might meet several world leaders during his Bhutan stay.

On Monday, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna, who is currently in Thimpu for the the SAARC ministerial meeting, had said that a bilateral meeting between the Prime Ministers could not be ruled out, adding that all issues would be discussed if both leaders met.

“I am not ruling it out,” was Krishna’s reply when asked if a meeting would take place.

“Let””s wait and watch, how things are going to work out. All bilateral issues between India and Pakistan will be discussed as and when the Prime Ministers meet,” Krishna said.

Besides India and Pakistan, heads of states from countries like Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka would be attending the summit.

Representatives from the observer states would also be participating in the summit, The Nation reports. (ANI)

Joyce turns down debate offer

Opposition regional development spokesman Barnaby Joyce says he turned down a debate with his Government counterpart because of the proposed time and location.

The National Press Club approached Senator Joyce and Anthony Albanese to go head to head in Canberra a week after the May budget.

But Senator Joyce says he would rather debate Mr Albanese in a regional town around the middle of the year.

Senator Joyce says he discussed the issue with Opposition Leader Tony Abbott.

“I’ll be more frank than that: in the week after the budget it was decided that we wanted to concentrate on the budget and not on infrastructure, and that seems reasonable,” he said.

“I don’t know what’s unusual about that.

“I’m only too happy to debate Anthony Albanese. In fact, I look forward to a debate with Anthony Albanese.

“But let’s have the debate in a regional area. Let’s break the cycle of thinking that everything that has to happen, has to happen in Sydney, Canberra or Melbourne.

“And let’s also not have it the week after the budget. This is a very important issue.”

The Nationals Senate Leader was recently demoted from the finance portfolio to regional development after a series of gaffes that led to criticisms he was not performing well in the position.

He still represents the portfolio in the Senate.

During an address to the National Press Club earlier this year he confused millions and billions when talking about debt levels.

He also became the focus of a strong Government attack after claiming that Australia could default on its debts.

And late last month he surprised many by quipping that he used reports by the Howard government-established Productivity Commission as toilet paper.

US may still cancel Obama, Karzai Washington meeting

Washington, Apr.7 (ANI): The May 12 meeting between US President Barack Obama and his Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai in Washington could still be cancelled, White House sources said Tuesday.

Obama has asked Karzai to crack down on internal corruption, and according to sources here, his administration is also unhappy with comments attacking the U.S. and its allies.

Over the last several days the White House has maintained that next month’s meeting wouldn’t be compromised as a result of Karzai’s remarks.

However, according to Fox News, in his daily briefing Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs changed his tone. “We certainly would evaluate whatever continued or further remarks President Karzai makes as to whether that’s constructive to have such a meeting.” (ANI)

Obama’s new defence strategy to limit use of nuclear weapons

Washington, Apr 6(ANI): United States President Barack Obama is set to announce a new defence strategy that aims to revamp American nuclear strategy to substantially narrow the conditions under which the country would use its nuclear weapons.

However, Obama said he was carving out an exception for “outliers like Iran and North Korea”, who have violated or renounced the main treaty to halt nuclear proliferation.

Discussing his approach to nuclear security the day before formally releasing his new strategy, known as the Nuclear Posture Review, Obama described his policy as part of a broader effort to edge the world toward making nuclear weapons obsolete, and to create incentives for countries to give up any nuclear ambitions.

His strategy is a sharp shift from those of his predecessors and seeks to revamp the nation’s nuclear posture.

“I’m going to preserve all the tools that are necessary in order to make sure that the American people are safe and secure,” The New York Times quoted Obama, as saying.

“We are going to want to make sure that we can continue to move towards less emphasis on nuclear weapons to make sure that our conventional weapons capability is an effective deterrent in all, but the most extreme circumstances,” he added.

According to reports, the new strategy would include the option of reconsidering use of nuclear retaliation against a biological attack, if the development of such weapons reached a level that made the United States vulnerable to a devastating strike.

The release of the strategy comes ahead of a planned signing of a new nuclear arms reduction pact by Obama and his Russian counterpart, Dmitry Medvedev, in Prague on Thursday.

The pact, agreed last month, commits Russia and the US to big cuts in nuclear warheads.

The pact would replace the 1991 Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (Start), which expired last December. (ANI)

Winning Premier League more important than Golden Boot: Drogba

London, Mar 26 (ANI): Chelsea ace striker Didier Drogba has said that beating his Manchester United counterpart Wayne Rooney to the Golden Boot will mean nothing if it does not come with a Premier League champions’ medal.

The Chelsea striker took his season’s haul to 30 with another double during Wednesday’s 5-0 win against a struggling Portsmouth.

He now has 24 Premier League goals just two behind Manchester United ace Rooney at the top of the league scorers” chart.

But, more importantly, it also means Chelsea is right back on United’s tail in what is being billed as the tightest title race in years, The Sun reports.

Drogba insisted: “You know what, if I don’t finish top scorer I won’t mind… as long as we win the league. I won the Golden Boot in 2007 and it would give me great pleasure to do it again but what is really important for me is the Premier League title.

“Football is a team sport. It is nice to have individual honours but much better when you share the medals with your friends and teammates. This season has been a long and difficult one. It would be a poor season if I finished top scorer but Chelsea didn”t win a trophy.”

Drogba, who turned 32 earlier this month, has now scored 124 goals in six seasons at Stamford Bridge, more than any other foreign player in the club’s history.

Now he is eyeing his personal-best tally of 33 in a season to ensure Carlo Ancelotti’s team finish on a high. (ANI)

China, Afghanistan sign three deals to boost economic cooperation

Beijing, Mar 25(ANI): Chinese President Hu Jintao and his Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai have signed three deals, in which China has announced more investment in the war-torn country and pledged to continue aiding reconstruction efforts.

Jintao and Karzai, who is on a state visit to China, signed the deals on Wednesday, and it covers economic cooperation, technical training and the granting of preferential tariffs for some Afghan exports to China.

Afghan Foreign Minister Zalmai Rassoul said China has contributed tremendously in Afghan economic development, especially in infrastructure building.

Rassoul said Afghanistan welcomes more Chinese investment, and promised that the government will take necessary measures for the security of Chinese companies and nationals working in Afghanistan.

“There are some security issues. We are trying to deal with it and I hope the security situation will allow Chinese investment to operate without any risks,” The China Daily quoted Rassoul, as saying.

This is Karzai”s first visit to China since his re-election last year, and his fourth as Afghan President.

During his visit, he is also scheduled to meet top legislator Wu Bangguo and Premier Wen Jiabao. (ANI)

FA could reprimand Mancini, Moyes for touchline fight

London, Mar 25 (ANI): Manchester City boss Robert Mancini and his Everton counterpart David Moyes were sent off for a touchline fight on a night of shame at Eastlands

The two bosses could now face a Football Association reprimand after squaring up in injury time. Moyes caught the ball and held on to it as he wanted to make a sub, but Mancini marched over to try and wrestle it from him.

The Italian coach barged into his opposite number and a heated exchange between the pair followed before referee Peter Walton stepped in.

He ordered both managers away from the touchline, and even though they played down the incident afterwards, the FA could take a dim view of it, The Sun reports.

Tensions between the clubs have been simmering over City’s pursuit of Toffees defender Joleon Lescott last summer and last night it spilled over.

Moyes said: “I was very surprised to be sent off. I didn’t know what I’d done wrong. Maybe I held on to the ball for a second or two longer than I should but I wanted to get a sub on.”

Mancini said: “If I made a mistake I’m sorry. I only wanted to get the ball because we had another five minutes at the end. I was frustrated for the players and for me and for the supporters.

“If I was waving my hands then it can happen sometimes. If it upsets people I will try not to do it again next time. Yes, I will have a drink with him – there is no problem. These things can happen during the game.”

The incident capped a disappointing night for City as they blew the chance to move back above Tottenham and into fourth place. (ANI)

US supporting Pak effort to defeat extremism

Ahead of the crucial US-Pak strategic dialogue, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Monday said that the Obama Administration is supporting Pakistan in its fight against extremism that poses threat to its existence and also the region and the other parts of the world.

“The United States is supporting Pakistan’s efforts to strengthen democratic institutions, foster economic development, expand opportunity, and defeat the extremist groups who threaten Pakistan, the region, and even our own country,” Clinton said.

“Our broad partnership is based on mutual respect and mutual interest, and this dialogue will be an opportunity to forge even closer ties between our nations,” Clinton said in a video message to the people of Pakistan issued on the eve of the Pakistan’s National Day on March 23.

“Pakistan is close to my heart, and I have been privileged to make five visits over the years. And I have seen firsthand how special your country is — rich with history and culture, blessed with natural beauty, and home to people of unforgettable warmth and strength,” she said.

Clinton along with her Pakistani counterpart Shah Muhammad Qureshi chairs the first US Pakistani Strategic Dialogue; being held in Washington on March 24.

“Today, your country is suffering from terrorism and your security forces and civilians are making great sacrifices to fight extremists. The people of the United States will stand by and support Pakistani efforts to build a peaceful and prosperous future,” Clinton said.

Visiting Bangladesh Army Chief receives Guard of Honour in New Delhi

New Delhi, Mar 15(ANI): Bangladesh Army Chief General Mohammed Abdul Mubeen, who is on a five-day visit to India, was given a Guard of Honour in the national capital on Monday.

Earlier on Sunday, General Mubeen, who arrived with his wife and a four-member army delegation, was received by the Deputy Director General of Indian Military Intelligence Air Marshal S. C. Malhan at the Indira Gandhi International Airport.

During his visit, General Mubeen will call on Indian Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor and discuss matters of professional interest and bilateral military issues.

He will also visit Indian Army establishments.

This is Mubeen”s maiden tour of India after his appointment as the chief of army staff last year.

General Kapoor had earlier visited Dhaka on a six-day tour in July 2008, five months after his the then counterpart and Mubeen”s predecessor General Moeen U Ahmed visited India. (ANI)

India has not demanded arrest of JuD chief Hafiz Saeed:Qureshi

ISLAMABAD: India has not demanded the arrest of Jamaat-ud-Dawah chief Hafiz Muhammad Saeed and the issue did not even figure in the Foreign Secretary-level talks with Pakistan last month, foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said today.

“You will be surprised that they made no demand (for the arrest of Saeed). They did not even mention Hafiz Saeed in the entire talks,” Qureshi told reporters in his hometown of Multan.

He was responding to a question on whether India had demanded Saeed’s arrest.

Foreign office spokesman Abdul Basit had told a briefing on Thursday that India had not asked for the handing over of Saeed, who is also the founder of the Lashker-e-Taiba.

India has described Saeed as the mastermind behind the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

Following talks with her Pakistani counterpart last month, foreign secretary Nirupama Rao had said that Pakistan should take action against persons like Saeed and control their activities.

Qureshi also told the reporters that Pakistan is not interested in “talks for the sake of talks” and “photo opportunities”.

Instead, it wants talks that are result-oriented and meaningful, he said.

“Our stand is very clear – we were ready for talks yesterday and we are ready today too. But we want purposeful and meaningful talks,” he said.

India, Turkmenistan ink MOU on programme of cooperation

Ashgabat (Turkmenistan), Sep.18 (ANI): India and Turkmenistan on Friday signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on a programme of cooperation.

The bilateral agreement was signed after delegation-level talks between visiting Indian External Affairs Minister S.M.Krishna and his Turkmenistan counterpart Rashid Meredov

Both Krishna and Meredov signed the MOU.

Krishna also called on the President of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Malikgulievich Berdimuhamedov, during which he offered India’s assistance to Turkmenistan in the hydrocarbon sector by way of using the expertise of Indian companies in the sector.

President Berdimuhamedov indicated that India should tap its gas resources through Iran as it can be a good alternative without waiting for the much awaited TAPI gas pipeline project (Tuekmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India). Krishna accepted the idea and promised to work on it more seriously.

India gives high priority to the gas pipeline to meet its energy requirements and is keen to have such ties with Turkmenistan. By Ravi Shankar (ANI)

Krishna in Belarus to strengthen bilateral ties

Minsk, Sept 17 (ANI): Indian External Affairs Minister S M Krishna has arrived here to foster bilateral ties between the two countries.

Krishna is the first Indian External Minister to visit this country.

On Wednesday, Krishna visited the Victory Square Monument in the city and paid tribute to soldiers who had laid down their lives during the World War II while fighting the Nazi invaders.

“This is the first ever visit by an Indian Minister for External Affairs to Belarus. I think it is an important visit with a view to further cement and strengthen relationship to mutual advantage,” said Ramesh Chander, Indian Ambassador to Belarus.

Krishna’s visit is being seen as important, as it would help to cement ties further between the two countries.

“In 2008, we had a 432 million trade turnover. And this year, it is likely to touch 500 million by the end of the year,” Chander added.

Krishna reviewed guard of honour of the Belarus Army at the Square. He was received by the Deputy Mayor of Minsk, Titenkov Mikhail.

On Thursday, Krishna will call on Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko.

He will also hold talks with his counterpart Sergey Martynov. Two agreements will be signed including one on Cooperation in Physical Education and Sports and an MoU on the Establishment of a Digital Learning Centre in Minsk.

The Digital Learning Centre will impart skills in advanced computing and software creation to young Belarusian students, initially with Indian faculty members and thereafter with trained Belarusian professionals.

Krishna will also pay an official visit to Turkmenistan on September 18 and 19.

He will call on Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhammedov and hold meetings with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov.

Krishna will also have a meeting with Minister in-charge of Oil and Gas sector Baymyrat Hojamuhammedov.

Both countries will sign a cooperation agreement during the visit. By Ravi Shankar (ANI)

PCB believes India-Pak Champions Trophy clash would help improve ties

Lahore, Sep.16 (ANI): The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is hoping that the encounter between India and Pakistan in the ICC Champions Trophy would help improve ties between both the countries.

PCB’s Chief Operating Officer (COO) Wasim Bari said the match would help remove the distrust and improve bilateral relations which had deteriorated after the November 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.

“It is a good opportunity for people of both countries to come together and enjoy a good cricket contest. The match can also serve to improve relations and remove distrust. This is a sport and the result should be accepted sportingly,” Bari said.

India will take on Pakistan at Centurion on September 26.

Bari said cricket has always helped in healing differences between both nations, and expressed the hope that this time too it works to resolve the stalemate.

He also stressed that the PCB must improve ties with its Indian counterpart, the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI).

“Relations between the two boards have always been good even when relations between the governments and people were not so good. Cricket is a big healer for both people of both nations and the PCB must improve its relations with India,” The Nation quoted Bari, as saying. (ANI)