Arafat's remains exhumed

The remains of Yasser Arafat have been exhumed, Palestinian officials say, as part of an investigation into how the Palestinian leader died.
Swiss, French and Russian experts will take samples to establish whether his death, at a military hospital in Paris in 2004, was the result of poisoning.
France began a murder inquiry in August after Swiss experts found radioactive polonium-210 on his personal effects.
Arafat's medical records say he had a stroke resulting from a blood disorder.
His widow, Suha, objected to a post-mortem at the time, but asked the Palestinian Authority to permit the exhumation "to reveal the truth".
Sealed tomb
Arafat's body lay in a stone-clad mausoleum inside the Muqataa presidential compound in the West Bank city of Ramallah. The mausoleum was sealed off earlier this month.
Palestinian officials told the Associated Press that the remains were taken from the mausoleum to a nearby mosque, so that Palestinian doctors could take samples from the bones.
With the body removed from the tomb, the scientists will each take samples and then go to their respective countries to carry out tests for polonium-210 and possibly other lethal substances.
It is believed that the investigation could take several months.
Before the exhumation, the head of the Palestinian committee investigating Arafat's death, Tawfik al-Tirawi, said no journalists would be allowed to observe the exhumation.
"Because [of the] sanctity of the symbol and the sanctity of this event, [the exhumation] should not be permitted to be in front of the media," the former Palestinian intelligence chief said.
A reburial ceremony, with full military honours, is expected to take place later on Tuesday.
Many Palestinians continue to believe Arafat was poisoned by Israel, which saw Arafat as an obstacle to peace and had put him under house arrest. Israel has strongly denied any involvement.
TV documentary
Arafat, who led the Palestine Liberation Organisation for 35 years and became the first president of the Palestinian Authority in 1996, fell violently ill in October 2004 inside the Muqataa.
Two weeks later he was flown to a French military hospital in Paris, where he died on 11 November 2004, aged 75.
In 2005, the New York Times obtained a copy of Arafat's medical records, which it said showed he died of a massive haemorrhagic stroke that resulted from a bleeding disorder caused by an unknown infection.
Independent experts who reviewed the records told the paper that it was highly unlikely that he had been poisoned.
A murder inquiry was launched by French prosecutors in August after an investigation by al-Jazeera TV, working with scientists at the Institute of Radiation Physics (IRA) at the University of Lausanne in Switzerland, found "significant" traces of polonium-210 present in samples taken from Arafat's personal effects, including his trademark keffiyeh headdress.
In some cases, the elevated levels were 10 times higher than those on control subjects, and most of the polonium could not have come from natural sources, the scientists said.
But the institute also said that Arafat's symptoms - as described in his medical records - were not consistent with polonium poisoning.
The former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko died of exposure to polonium-210 in London in 2006. The UK authorities have accused Andrei Lugovoi, an ex-KGB officer, of poisoning his tea.

Zia Trust Graft Case: Lawyer warned over time petition

A Dhaka court on Tuesday warned BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s lawyer saying that they would not be given any more time in Zia Charitable Trust graft case.
Judge Md Zahirul Haque of Senior Special Judge's Court warned lawyer Masud Ahmed Talukder as he came up with time petition for eighth time.
Earlier, Khaleda also the opposition leader in Parliament, skipped the court for seventh times showing different reasons.
The court also fixed January 1 for the next hearing of the case as the lawyer told the court that they would not file any more time petition in future.
Today the court was scheduled to decide whether the charges against Khaleda and three others will be taken into congnisance in the case.
The other accused are Harris Chowdhury, former political secretary of Khaleda; Ziaul Islam Munna, assistant private secretary (APS) of Harris; and Monirul Islam Khan, APS of former Dhaka city mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka.
Earlier on October 1, another court fixed the date for passing an order on whether it will accept charges against Khaleda Zia and three others in the case.
On August 8, 2011, the Anti-Corruption Commission filed the case with Tejgaon Police Station, accusing four people including Khaleda, for abusing power in raising funds from unknown sources for the trust.
Among the accused, Harris is on the run.

Aggrieved workers block highway for 30 minutes

The readymade garment workers who lost 111 colleagues and relatives during Saturday's fire, blocked the Dhaka-Tangail highway for half an hour since Tuesday morning.
The workers have been demanding the punishment of the owners of Tazreen Fashion Ltd, the garment factory, where the tragedy occurred Saturday evening.
Over 1,000 workers carrying black flags under the banner of 'Ghoshbag Garment Workers' sat on the highway around 11:00am when police barred them from going towards the fire-devastated building.
Police resisted the agitating workers at Nishchintapur as Home Minister Muhiuddin Khan Alamgir was visiting Tazreen Fashion Ltd, the scene of the occurrence, where 111 workers died during Saturday's fire.
A heavy traffic jam was instantly created as the demonstration halted traffic movement on the highway, witnesses said.
Traffic movement resumed around 11:30am when police opened the road for the workers after the home minister left the place.
Earlier around 9:45am, the aggrieved workers staged demonstration and brought out processions on Ashulia-Jamgarah road.
At least 57 bodies were charred beyond recognition as the fire raged through the eight-storey factory on Saturday evening.
The 18 units of fire service toiled more than 11 hours to put out the blaze.
The charred bodies were kept at Dhaka Medical College morgue and samples were collected from the bodies for DNA test on Monday.
The unidentified bodies will be buried today at the Jurain graveyard in the capital.

Ensure workers safety, PM tells businessmen

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday urged the businessmen to ensure the safety of workers while setting up industries and factories.
"When you set up buildings, do not block any waterbody," the PM said adding "The fire that raged though the Ashulia garment factory Saturday evening could not be doused immediately due to absence of any water source near the factory."
She was inaugurating the fifth textile fair 'Texbangla 2012' at Ruposhi Bangla Hotel in the capital.
Bangladesh Textile Mills Association organised the three-day fair.
A number of committees have been formed to investigate the Ashulia garment fire incident that killed 111 workers and the committees were asked to submit their reports immediately, the prime minister said.
"Action will be taken on the basis of those reports," she said.
In her speech, the prime minister said special economic zones will be launched at the seven divisions gradually so that the foreign investors can invest more.
About maritime boundary with Myanmar, she said the government will invite tenders to explore oil and gas in Bay of Bengal soon.
She also hoped that the maritime boundary issue with India will be resolved by 2014.
Finance Minister Abul Mal Abdul Muhith and outgoing president of Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industries Abul Kalam Azad were, among others, present on the occasion.

Suranjit's APS gets temporary bail

A Dhaka court on Tuesday granted bail to Omar Faruque Talukdar, the sacked assistant private secretary (APS) of former railways minister Suranjit Sengupta till the first day of a vacation court.
The court will go on annual vacation from November 29 till December 31.
Judge Mohammad Zahirul Haque of the Senior Special Judge's Court of Dhaka passed the order after Faruque surrendered before the court seeking bail in the case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
On April 15, Faruq was sacked and Railway General Manager (East) Yusuf Ali Mridha and Dhaka Division Security Commandant Enamul Huq were suspended in connection with the railwaygate scandal.
Former railways minister Suranjit Sengupta announced this at a press conference five days after the seizure of Tk 70 lakh from the microbus of his APS by BGB members on April 9.
The vehicle was on its way to Suranjit's Jigatola residence in the capital with Faruq, Mridha and Enamul on board, and the amount was reportedly part of the bribe money collected from the prospective job seekers.
Sources had earlier told The Daily Star that the driver, Ali Azam Khan, drove the vehicle into the BGB Pilkhana headquarters having been refused Tk 5 lakh as share of the amount.
The minister's press conference also came hours after Mridha told a two-member probe body in a written statement that he along with Faruq and Enamul was going to Suranjit's house that night.
Earlier on April 11, Faruq deposited Tk 70 lakh in his account with Mercantile Bank's Dhanmondi branch.
Suranjit, who became minister of the newly-formed railway ministry in December last year, has been facing serious criticism over the scam.

Court orders confiscation of Destiny properties

A Dhaka Court on Tuesday ordered the Anti-Corruption Commission to confiscate all the movable and immovable properties of Destiny Group.
Destiny Group Chairman Mohammad Rafiqul Amin, his wife Farah Diba, Destiny 2000 Limited Chairman Mohammad Hossain and all the associate organisation of group including its Tree Plantation Project will come under the order.
Judge Mohammad Zahirul Haque of the Senior Special Judges' Court of Dhaka passed the order after the anti-graft body filed two separate petitions before the court seeking its permission in this regard.
ACC Deputy Director Mozahar Ali Sarder and its Assistant Director Toufiqul Islam filed the petitions.

Food stamp menu ideas for Newark Mayor Cory Booker Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2012/11/21/food-stamp-menu-ideas/#ixzz2DFSJ4xi8

Newark Mayor Cory Booker says he plans on living on food stamps for at least a week after receiving a challenge on Twitter.
Booker is a vegetarian, yet creating a meal on food stamps will still require that he make some lifestyle adjustments--while adding in a dash of creativity.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the average monthly food stamp benefit was $133.26 per person in New Jersey in fiscal year 2011. While he won't have the more expensive meat products to buy, the busy mayor won't be able to purchase convenience foods either.  When you're on food stamps you're not allowed to buy prepared items: no fast food, deli sandwiches, for example.
Based on that, Booker will have have to focus on making meals at home with a pretty limited shopping list. Here are a couple of menu ideas for Newark's mayor as he prepares for his challenge.
Burritos
Burritos are easy to prepare, and stuffed with healthy items like fresh vegetables, beans and rice, they offer a high-protein meal at a minimum cost.   You can add sauteed vegetables, like carrots, onion or bell peppers --or when time permits cook up a little tofu or add in roasted vegetables.
Recipe: Avocado and Bean Burrito
Casseroles
Casseroles are a great way to prepare a balanced meal ahead of time from items that are relatively inexpensive, such as soups, pastas and frozen vegetables.  Best of all, it's one of those meals that keep in the refrigerator until you're ready to eat it again. Be creative and use all major food groups.
Recipe: Cauliflower Casserole
Soup
Soups go a long way on a limited budget. Not only does it warm the body on chilly days, it's another great meal that can be made ahead of time, frozen, and then pulled out again when you're ready to eat it. Add ingredients you purchased for other dishes, like carrots and onions.  Fresh greens, such as kale and spinach can be added during reheating to add a healthy kick.
Recipe: Kale and White Bean Soup
Recipe: Vegetable Bean Soup
French Toast
Being on food stamps doesn't mean denying yourself a treat.  French toast is best made with stale bread, which is always a bargain at the store.  It can be dressed, like our recipe below that calls for Mascarpone cheese, but that can be substituted for cheaper cream cheese or honey-sweetened yogurt.  Don't have maple syrup?  Try sprinkling sugar on fruit slices to add sweetness some sweetness.


Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2012/11/21/food-stamp-menu-ideas/#ixzz2DFSJ4xi8

Hezbollah leader warns rockets would rain down on Tel Aviv in future war

BEIRUT –  Lebanon's Hezbollah group would fire thousands of rockets into Israel in any future war and target cities in the country's heartland, the group's leader said Sunday.
Sheik Hassan Nasrallah's warning came days after an eight-day Israeli offensive against Gaza ended with a truce. Nasrallah said Gaza militants had won "a clear victory" against Israel with their rocket bombardment.
Hezbollah, like Hamas and other Gaza militant factions, maintains a rocket arsenal and regularly threatens to use it. It fought an inconclusive 34-day war with the Jewish state in 2006 that left 1,200 Lebanese and 160 Israelis dead.
The Gaza war marked the first use by Palestinian factions of a longer ranged Iranian-made rocket, the Fajr-5. It caused no casualties but did trigger air raid warnings in the heartland cities of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, which, unlike cities closer to the Lebanese and Gaza borders, have not experienced any sustained missile attack since Iraqi Scuds were fired in the 1991 Gulf War.
Hezbollah fired at least one long-range rocket ineffectually in the 2006 war. But Israeli intelligence now believes the militant group has the capability to strike anywhere in the country, although Israel now deploys air defense systems designed to counter the threat.
In the Gaza conflict, Israeli aircraft launched some 1,500 strikes on targets linked to the Palestinian territory's Hamas rulers and other groups, while Gaza militants fired roughly the same number of rockets into Israel.
Nasrallah said in a speech in Beirut that the Fajr-5 attacks "shook Israel." He asked: "How is it (Israel) going to stand thousands of rockets that will fall on Tel Aviv and other areas if it launches an aggression against Lebanon?"
Nasrallah spoke via a video link from a secret location to tens of thousands of supporters in Beirut who gathered to mark Ashoura, the annual Shiite commemoration of the 7th-century death of Imam Hussein, the Prophet Muhammad's grandson.
Hezbollah fired nearly 4,000 rockets at Israel during the 2006 war and is believed to have upgraded its arsenal since then. Nasrallah did not say how many missiles and rockets his group possesses, although in the past he said they have more than 20,000. Israel estimates the number at several times that.
"The battle with us is going to be all over occupied Palestine," the black-turbaned Nasrallah said. "From the border with Lebanon to the frontier with Jordan to the Red Sea."
"The Israelis should listen well to me. From Kiryat Shemona to Eilat," Nasrallah said referring to a northern Israeli town near the border with Lebanon to the southern resort town of Eilat on the Red Sea.
Since the 2006 war ended, both Israeli and Hezbollah officials have been warning each other that the next battle between the two groups will be more destructive.
Some Israeli generals had spoken of the "Dahiya doctrine," named after the Beirut suburbs considered a Hezbollah stronghold where Israel turned dozens of buildings to piles of debris in 2006.
In August, Nasrallah said Hezbollah will transform the lives of Israelis to "hell" if Israel attacks Lebanon, adding that the group would not hesitate to hit targets that would leave tens of thousands of Israelis dead.
Hezbollah was created in 1982, weeks after Israel invaded Lebanon. Israel withdrew in 2000 to a border drawn by the U.N., but Lebanon says Israel still occupies a slice of its territory.

FROM : foxnews.com

Egypt Mursi crisis prompts shares dive

Protests against the president's decision have continued in Cairo, while the Muslim Brotherhood is planning rallies backing him later.
Trading was suspended for 30 minutes as shares slumped in the first session since the president's announcement.
But the slide continued as soon as share dealing resumed.
Renewed clashes broke out in Cairo on Sunday morning between protesters and security forces in a street leading to Tahrir Square. Trails of tear gas could be seen in the square itself.
Stones were thrown close to the US embassy, but because concrete blocks had been erected in the area the situation was less tense than before, Mena news agency reported.

Twenty-two rights groups signed an open letter which said the president "has dealt a lethal blow to the Egyptian judiciary" and demanded that the decree should be revoked immediately.
Opposition politician Mohamed ElBaradei had earlier complained that the president had "usurped all state powers and appointed himself Egypt's new pharaoh".
But the president's measures have also prompted his supporters to come out on to the streets and there were clashes on Saturday as pro-Mursi demonstrators tried to disrupt an emergency Judges Club meeting.
The Muslim Brotherhood, which backs Mr Mursi's Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) party, has called for further demonstrations in support of the decree after sunset.
The Islamist movement has called for a one-million-man march to be held at Abdin Square on Tuesday.


FROM :  BBC NEWS

Dhaka Bangladesh clothes factory fire kills more than 100

The blaze broke out late on Saturday in the multi-floor Tazreen Fashion factory in the Ashulia district on the outskirts of the capital Dhaka.
Some people died after jumping from the building to escape the flames.
It is unclear what caused the fire, which started on the ground floor trapping many victims in the factory.
Officials suspect an electrical short circuit might have caused the disaster.
Firefighters managed to contain the blaze on Sunday morning.
Fatal fires are common in Bangladesh's large garment manufacturing sector, and the BBC's Anbarasan Ethirajan in Dhaka says Western companies are likely to renew pressure on the local businesses to improve safety.
In a separate development, at least 13 people died when a flyover under construction collapsed late on Saturday in the south-eastern city of Chittagong, police said.
The authorities are investigating both accidents.

 Anxious wait
Initial reports said eight people had been killed in the factory fire, but the scale of the disaster became clear when rescue workers entered the building on Sunday.

"We resumed our search this morning and found the bodies lying on different floors of the factory building," Brigadier General Abu Nayeem Mohammad Shahidullah of the Dhaka fire brigade told AFP news agency.

Later reports said that 120 people had died, but the number of fatalities was then lowered to at least 112. A number of people are believed to be missing.
The fire started on the ground floor - which was reportedly used as a warehouse - and quickly spread through the building.
Senior fire department official Mohammad Mahbub told the Associated Press news agency that the factory had no fire exit on the outside of the building.
"Had there been at least one emergency exit through outside the factory, the casualties would have been much lower," he said.
The factory owner denied the allegations that the building was unsafe to work in.
"It is a huge loss for my staff and my factory. This is the first time we have ever had a fire at one of my seven factories," Delwar Hossain told AFP.
Police and soldiers were deployed to keep the situation under control as thousands of anxious relatives of factory employees gathered at the scene.
"Where's my son?" cried Sabina Yasmine. She said she saw the body of her daughter-in-law, who died in the fire, but her son was missing, AP reports.

Relatives of the factory's workers gathered at the scene - desperate for news about their loved ones

She expressed fury at the factory owners, who she blamed for the fire.
Fatal fires are common in Bangladesh's large garment manufacturing sector.
Lax safety standards, poor wiring and overcrowding are blamed for causing several deadly factory fires every year.
In December 2010, a wiring problem led to a fire in another clothes factory in the same industrial zone, leaving at least 25 people dead.
There are around 4,500 factories in Bangladesh, employing more than two million people.
Clothes account for up to 80% of Bangladesh's $24bn (£15bn) annual exports.
UK Foreign Office Minister Baroness Warsi said she was "shocked and saddened to learn of the tragic loss of life".