Manmohan Singh Arrived in Saudi Arabia on Saturday

Latest news about updates in Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh arrived in Saudi Arabia on Saturday on the first visit by an Indian premier to the kingdom in 28 years, with an aim to boost economic ties and defence and security cooperation.

He was welcomed by Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz, the official Saudi Press Agency said. Singh was scheduled to hold talks with Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah on bilateral relations, and discuss regional and global issues including Afghanistan, according to Lalitha Reddy, secretary in India’s External Affairs Ministry.

He has said there was great opportunity for opening new frontiers of cooperation with Saudi Arabia in the areas of security, defense, science and technology, space, human resources development and knowledge-based industries.
“The Gulf region is an area of vital importance for India’s security and prosperity,” said Singh, who was accompanied by several ministers and a 25-member delegation of business leaders.

The prime minister also planned to address the Shoura Council, an influential body of Saudi intellectuals, and the Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry. He was also expected to meet members of the Indian community. Apart from being the largest supplier of crude oil, Saudi Arabia is also home to an Indian community numbering at least 1.8 million. Bilateral trade between India and Saudi Arabia during 2008-09 was more than $25 billion.

Floods Present a Risk of Bridge, Killing Two in England

LONDON: Engineers and emergency workers checked hundreds of bridges for damage on Sunday, fearful some could collapse and isolate villages, as heavy rain lashed northwest England.
In the southwest, a 46-year-old canoeist, believed to be from the Reading area died after becoming wedged under trees on the flooded River Dart near Newton Abbot in Devon on Saturday.

A search was under way for a 21-year-old woman believed to have been swept into the River Usk in Brecon, mid-Wales, late on Saturday.

Conditions were predicted to worsen on Sunday, with up to 50 mm (2 inches) of rain on high ground, and winds inland of up to 55 mph (90 kph).

“I have spoken to people…they are running short of food, they are running short of medication. Things are getting pretty desperate,” Tony Cunningham, member of parliament for Workington, told a local television channel.

He said some people were having travel about 35 miles to get food and milk because of diversions.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown visited the worst hit area, Cumbria, on Saturday to see the damage caused by record rainfall, and pledged 1 million pounds ($1.51 million) of aid.

Heavy rain during the past few days has left hundreds of people sheltering in rescue centres, hotels and with family and friends, with the expectation that some will not be able to move back into their homes for up to six months.

Water levels were receding on Sunday, but one bridge in particular, Calva Bridge in Workington, Cumbria, was described as extremely unstable and “could potentially collapse at any time”.

Five bridges have already collapsed in the area, including one in Workington which resulted in the death of Police Constable Bill Barker.

He was directing motorists off the bridge when it collapsed, sweeping him down river.

Train Derails in Western India, Nine Dead

MUMBAI: At least nine people were killed and 25 injured when a New Delhi-bound train derailed near the western Indian city of Jaipur early on Saturday, officials said.

Fifteen coaches of the Mandor Express jumped the track about 40 km from Jaipur, and rescue teams were working to free trapped passengers, state chief minister Ashok Gehlot toldreporters.

“Rescue operation is still on,” he said, adding the cause of the accident was being investigated.

Semi-Private Womb

Selling out abortion rights for health care reform.

Tyreke Evan is Emerging for the Kings

Kings rookie Tyreke Evans started at shooting guard and hit 7-of-15 shots and 16-of-19 free throws on his way to a career-high 32 points in Saturday’s upset win over the Jazz. He added three boards, seven assists and a steal, despite leaving the game briefly after taking a Deron Williams elbow to…

Iraq electoral law passes, sets up national vote (AP)

AP – Iraq’s parliament ended weeks of debate Sunday and passed a long-delayed law paving the way for the planned January election to go forward, sidestepping a crisis that could have delayed the U.S. troop withdrawal.

AP IMPACT: Framed for child porn — by a PC virus (AP)

Of all the sinister things that Internet viruses do, this might be the worst: They can make you an unsuspecting collector of child pornography.

Rivers TD to Vincent Jackson stuns Giants, 21-20 (AP)

Five years after being traded away in a draft-day swap for Eli Manning, Philip Rivers came back and stuck it to the New York Giants. Rivers capped an 80-yard drive with an 18-yard pass to Vincent Jackson with 21 seconds to play and the San Diego Chargers stunned the Giants 21-20 on Sunday, posting their third straight win while handing New York its fourth straight loss.

Taylor Swift Alludes to Kanye Once Once!

Taylor Swift could’ve — but she didn’t.

Defying expectations raised earlier in the week, the 19-year-old singer opted against using the bully pulpit of Saturday Night Live’s opening monologue — or any subsequent skits — to hit back hard at Kanye West,

Taylor Swift Saturday Night Live

Taylor Swift Saturday Night Live: Days before the season begins its final award blessed with an appearance in the country next week Music Assn. Prizes, dear country, Taylor Swift will make a stop in New York to host “Saturday Night Live.” NBC has released Swift teasers for the show, joking that come with the necessary Kanye West.

Here’s hoping that means it is outside the system worldwide. Swift is pulling a double shift in “this weekend Saturday Night Live,” the host and musical guest.

Next Wednesday, Swift will compete for Artist of the Year at the CMA awards. The award has gone to Kenny Chesney four of the last five years, but Swift is the undisputed star of the country, 2008-2009, and Pop & Hiss would not bet against him. It set a record in Billboard this week, scoring eight cuts on the single table, the most ever in a week by a female artist.

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