Gunmen kill 5 female teachers in Pakistan

PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) — Gunmen in northwest Pakistan killed five female teachers and two aid workers on Tuesday in an ambush on a van carrying workers home from their jobs at a community center, officials said.

The attack was another reminder of the risks to women educators and aid workers from Islamic militants who oppose their work. It was in the same conservative province where militants shot and seriously wounded 15-year-old Malala Yousufzai, an outspoken young activist for girls' education, in October.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the latest shootings.

The van was transporting teachers and aid workers from the center in conservative Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. It is an area where Islamic militants often target women and girls trying to get an education or female teachers.
Militants in the province have blown up schools and killed female educators. They have also kidnapped and killed aid workers, viewing them as promoting a foreign agenda.
Last month, nine people working on an anti-polio vaccination campaign were shot and killed.

The teachers were killed along with two health workers, one man and one woman. Their driver was wounded. They were on their way home from a community center in the town of Swabi where they were working at a primary school for girls and adjoining medical center.

Swabi police chief Abdur Rasheed said most of the women killed were between the ages of 20 and 22. He said four gunmen who used two motorcycles fled the scene and have not been apprehended.

The gunmen on motorcycles opened fire with automatic weapons, said Javed Akhtar, executive director of the non-governmental organization Support With Working Solutions. The NGO conducts programs in the education and health sectors and runs the community center in Swabi, he said. The group has been active in the city since 1992, and started the Ujala Community Welfare Center in 2010, he added. Ujala means "light" in Urdu.

The center is financed by the Pakistani government's Poverty Alleviation Program and a German organization, said Akhtar.

He said the NGO also runs health and education projects in the South Waziristan tribal area, as well as health projects in the cities of Tank and Dera Ismail Khan and the regions of Lower Dir and Upper Kurram. All of those cities and regions are in northwest Pakistan, the area that has been most affected by the ongoing fight with militants opposed to the current government.

Aid groups such as Support With Working Solutions often provide a vital role in many areas of Pakistan where the government has been unable to provide services such as medical clinics or schools. But in some areas like the northwest, they have had to work to overcome community fears that they are promoting a foreign agenda at odds with local traditions and values.

Akhtar said he has directed staff at all projects to stop working for the time being until security measures are reviewed but vowed that they would resume their work soon.

He said that the NGO had not received any threats before the attack.

In a case in the same province that gained international attention, a Taliban gunman shot 15-year-old Yousufzai in the head last October for criticizing the militants and promoting girls' education. She is currently recovering in Britain.

Aarrr, these pirates walk a political plank: Ahoy! Israeli pirates lead surge of quirky parties

JERUSALEM (AP) — Shiver me timbers! Israel's newest political party has more than a platform — it's got a plank.

The Israel Pirate Party is one of 34 lists competing in the country's Jan. 22 parliamentary election. While only a dozen or so have a realistic chance of getting elected, many Israelis fed up with existential issues like the conflict with the Palestinians and possible war with Iran are seeking sanctuary with some of the quirkier parties.

It's a regular ritual in Israeli politics. In addition to the usual battles between parties representing doves and hawks on the one hand and secular and Orthodox Jews on the other, each election season typically offers an array of obscure and offbeat lists.

Previous offerings have included a faction calling for the establishment of a national casino and a group led by a fishmonger and puppeteer that tried to abolish bank fees. Green Leaf has made several runs for parliament looking to legalize marijuana, and in the 2009 election an offshoot of that party aligned with elderly Holocaust survivors in one of the oddest mergers in Israel's mottled political history. It too fell far short of making the house.

This time around, a castaway from the marijuana-Holocaust party has drifted even further off shore, offering a "pirate" platform that promotes a variety of personal freedoms, including the right to plagiarize and sail the high seas.
The main chance for niche parties to make a splash is just before the election, during a two-week TV ads campaign. Since all registered parties receive government advertising subsidies, even the most marginal movements can get air time. All the party commercials are concentrated in a single nightly segment on TV.

The pirates, though, got off to a head start. The party's 33-year-old, ponytailed leader, Ohad Shem-Tov, showed up at parliament to register the party earlier this month wearing a scarf on his head and a hook on his hand. This is the same mate who won notoriety in Israel for heading to Gaza on the eve of Israel's 2005 withdrawal and recommending that settlers prepare for their impending forced evacuation by rolling up a joint and relaxing.

Accompanying him, skull in hand, was one of his hearties, who identifies himself — with proper pirate inflection — as Noam Kuzarrr. He sported long black hair and an impressive "blackbeard."

No. 5 on the party list, Rafram Haddad, spent five months in Libyan captivity facing espionage changes before he was released in 2010 in a secret deal that intermediaries brokered between Israel and since-deposed Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi.
"We are not in favor of hijacking ships," clarified Dan Biron, a former TV director who owns a Jerusalem bar and is placed third on the party's list. "You can say what we are offering is on the verge of utopia."

The Israel Pirate Party is part of a global pirate political movement established in Sweden in 2006, operates in 45 other countries and has sent members to legislatures in countries including Germany, Finland and Tunisia.

Influenced by Hollywood blockbusters like "Pirates of the Caribbean," the West largely has a romanticized vision of piracy. Aficionados have even established a mock holiday, designating Sept. 19 as "Talk Like a Pirate Day."

Elsewhere in the world, piracy is no laughing matter. In Somalia, modern-day pirates have hijacked merchant ships in recent years, holding hundreds hostage at a time and demanding hefty sums as ransoms. Some hostages have been killed.

Israel's pirates face long odds in the January vote.

Israel's election system is proportional. The 120 seats in the parliament are divided among the parties according to how many votes each receives nationwide. Parties need to draw at least 2 percent of the general election vote to win representation, equaling roughly 70,000 votes. The pirates' crew appears to be a bit bare-bone: Shem-Tov said the party currently has only about 200 mates.

They are not the only long shots in the race. Other parties this time include a fringe anti-Zionist rabbi who's trying to bring secular Jews back to religion, a joint party of Ethiopian and Indian Jewish immigrants and a charismatic Hassidic movement famous in Israel for blasting religious rock music out of vans and starting impromptu dance parties on the streets.

Most pollsters give these parties no chance of getting enough votes to enter parliament, so off to Davy Jones' Locker they go.

However, Israel does have a history of protest parties pulling off election upsets. In 2006, a group of retirees led by an octogenarian former spymaster captured seven seats and joined Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's Cabinet. Seen largely as a recipient of protest votes against the system, it disappeared in the next election in 2009.

Green Leaf narrowly missed out in the 2003 and 2006 elections before flopping badly in 2009.

Shem-Tov says he still represents pot smokers, but he insists the pirate party has loftier goals: reforming democracy. The Internet-based party rejects what it calls antiquated copyright legislation, promoting the free sharing of information.

The pirate party grants equal power to its three central bodies: the dozen captains on "the command bridge," the 120 sailors on "the deck" and the entire pirate nation aboard "the ship." Elected representatives answer to online referendums, a concept these marauders like to call "liquid feedback."

"Dressing up is a gimmick, it's a way to draw attention," Shem-Tov admits. "But this party is serious, even if we use a little humor and do it with a smile."

Puck Daddy Alex Ovechkin is off the market, engaged to Maria Kirilenko; sorry, ladies

Congratulations to Russian tennis star Maria Kirilenko, who will undoubtedly become the next reason why Alex Ovechkin isn’t the same player he was or is playing better than ever. One of the two.

David Abrutyn of IMG congratulated Ovechkin, 27, and Kirilenko, 25, on their engagement on Monday morning, as the Washington Capitals captain asked his girlfriend of over a year for her hand in marriage. Ovechkin has been playing for Dynamo Moscow of the KHL during the NHL lockout; Kirilenko is 14th in the WTA world rankings.
Alas, Kirilenko wasn’t given a ring, because Ovechkin doesn’t know how to get one. (Just jokes, people; we're sure the diamond is the size of Red Square.)
OviLenko have been an adorable couple, with Ovechkin having exuberantly celebrated her bronze medal victory at Wimbledon at the London Olympics.
In an interview with CSN Washington about his relationship, Ovechkin said Kirilenko taught him the ways of tennis:

Before meeting Kirilenko, Ovechkin admits he knew nothing about tennis. But he played a lot of it this summer. “Tennis helps me a lot to be in good shape, Ovechkin said. When you’re not practicing and eating food and watching you get out of shape. But I was always running and moving when I played.”

So at least something good came out of the lockout for Ovechkin. Oh, who are we kidding: He made millions, was treated like a returning hero and played hockey for his hometown team during the last few months, along with getting engaged to a tennis hottie. Everything’s coming up Ovi...

Company Names Abbreviated:Full names of 35 famous companies

DHL
DHL provides international express, air and ocean freight, road and rail transportation, contract logistics and international mail services to its customers. The company’s name DHL is derived from the last names of the then three budding entrepreneurs, Adrian Dalsey, Larry Hillblom and Robert Lynn who founded the company.

 

IBM
IBM’s full company name is International Business Machines Corporation. It is a multinational technology and consulting corporation. The company was founded in 1911 and headquartered in the United States.

 

TLC
The specialty cable channel TLC is the initials for The Learning Channel. The company also operates the Discovery Channel, Animal Planet and The Science Channel, as well as other learning-themed networks.

 

FIAT
The full company name of FIAT is Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino meaning Italian Automobile Factory of Turin. This company is an Italian automobile manufacturer which was founded in 1899. \

 

HMV
The British global entertainment retail chain, HMV’s full company name is His Master's Voice. Apart from being listed on the London Stock Exchange, the company also operates in Hong Kong and Singapore.

 

TCS
TCS stands for Tata Consultancy Services Limited. It is considered to be one of India’s valuable company and a multinational information technology, services, business solutions and outsourcing services company.

 

SAP
SAP stands for System Analysis and Program Development. This German software company makes enterprise software to manage business operations and customer relations.

 

Amul
The company is based out of a small town in Gujarat called Anand. It is a daily cooperative which is now and again referred to as Anand Milk Union Limited. The Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation is India’s largest exporter of dairy products and also the largest food product marketing organization with an annual turnover of $2.5 billion for 2011-2012.

 

IKEA
IKEA is a Sweden-based company that designs and sells ready-to-assemble furniture. IKEA is an acronym made out of four letters - Ingvar Kamprad Elmtaryd Agunnaryd. I is for Ingvar, the first name of the founder of IKEA stores. K is for Kamprad, the last name of the founder of IKEA stores. E is for Elmtaryd, the name of the farm where Ingvar Kamprad grew up. A is for Agunnaryd, the name of the village near Kamprad's boyhood home.

 

HTC
The Taiwanese manufacturer of of smartphones and tablets now known as HTC was founded with the name High Tech Computer Corporation. Initially a manufacturer of notebook computers, HTC began designing some of the world's first touch and wireless hand-held devices in 1998.

 

JBL
With someone like AR Rahman endorsing the brand in India, it could only be a matter of time that JBL products would find their way into the homes of music-loving Indians. The audio electronics company is owned by Harman International and JBL are the initials of the name of the company’s founder James Bullough Lansing.

 

3M
A multinational conglomerate corporation in the United States, 3M was formerly known as Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company. Adhesives, abrasives, laminates, passive fire protection, dental products, electronic materials, medical products, car care products, electronic circuits and optical films are some of the products of the company.

 

H&M
It is known as one of the world’s popular brands for fast-fashion clothing for men, women, teenagers and children. The name of the Swedish company is Hennes & Mauritz AB but it is popularly known and operates as H&M.

 

AT&T
An American multinational telecommunications corporation and the largest provider of both mobile telephony and of fixed telephony in the United States, American Telephone and Telegraph Company is often referred to as AT&T. The company also provides broadband subscription television services.

 

ING Group
ING Group is a financial institution which offers banking, asset management, and insurance services. ING is an abbreviation for International Netherlands Group.

 

BMW
BMW is an abbreviation for Bayerische Motoren Werke. It is a German automobile, motorcycle and engine manufacturing company founded in 1917 which produces automobiles and motorcycles across all its brands. It also owns and produces the Mini marque, and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.

 

KFC
Kentucky Fried Chicken is one of the world’s largest chain of fried chicken fast food restaurant. It is popularly known by its abbreviation KFC, across the globe. It has over 17,000 outlets in 105 countries.

 

BPL
The company commonly referred to as BPL stands for British Physical Laboratories. This Indian electronics company deals with consumer appliances, home entertainment products and health care devices. It was established in 1963, by MT P G Nambiar.

 

BASF
BASF is recognized as one of the largest diversified chemical companies in the world. The company offers products to various industries and has customers in over 200 countries. The initials BASF stands for Baden Aniline and Soda Factory.

 

BEML
The full and original name of BEML is Bharat Earth Movers Limited. Headquartered in Bangalore, the company is an Indian Public Sector Undertaking and manufactures a variety of heavy equipment, such as that used for earth moving, transport and mining.

 

BHEL
BHEL is based in New Delhi and is engaged in the design, engineering, manufacture, construction, testing, commissioning and servicing of a wide range of products and services for the core sectors of the economy. BHEL is an abbreviation for Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited.

 

ICICI
The financial services company, ICICI Bank is headquartered in Mumbai offers retail and corporate customers a wide range of banking products and financial services. Earlier, the bank was known as Industrial Credit and Investment Corporation of India Bank, it later changed its name to the abbreviated ICICI Bank.

 

HDFC
India’s largest mortgage company, HDFC was founded in 1977. The financial services company has over 300 outlets and caters to non-resident Indians as well. The full name of HDFC is Housing Development Finance Corporation Limited.

 

ESPN
Sports related global television network, ESPN’s name is derived from Entertainment and Sports Programming Network. Some of its programs include live and recorded event telecasts, sports talk shows and other original programs.

 

HCL
Headquartered in India, HCL is a global technology and IT Enterprise that operates in over 30 countries of the world. The company mainly focuses on the IT hardware market. HCL is the abbreviation for Hindustan Computer Limited.

 

HSBC
The full name of the company HSBC is Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation. HSBC is a multinational banking and financial services company which operates within business groups such as commercial banking; global banking and markets, retail banking, wealth management and global private banking.

 

L&T
L&T is India’s multinational conglomerate corporation which is headquartered in Mumbai. The company’s business includes technology, engineering, construction and manufacturing goods. L&T stands for Larsen & Toubro.

 

LEGO
The name LEGO is an abbreviation of the two Danish words ‘leg godt’, meaning play well. The LEGO Group was founded in 1932 by Ole Kirk Kristiansen and the company provides toys, experiences and teaching materials for children in more than 130 countries.

 

MRF
India’s major tyre manufacturing company, Madras Rubber Factory is popularly known as MRF. It is considered to be the largest tyre manufacturer in India which makes all types of tyres, from auto to sedan, bias to radial including tubes and conveyor belts.

 

CEAT
Mumbai based tyre manufacturing company, CEAT is an abbreviation for Cavi Elettrici e Affini Torino. CEAT tyres were founded in Italy by Virginio Bruni Tedeschi and the company established its manufacturing in India in 1958.

 

HMT
HMT was formerly known as Hindustan Machine Tools. Some of the company’s products include watches, tractors, printing machinery and plastic processing machinery among others.

 

WIPRO
One of India’s most popular information technology firm, Wipro was formerly known as Western India Products Limited. The company’s operations include IT products and services, consumer care and lighting, healthcare and infrastructure engineering.

 

ITC
ITC’s full company name used to be India Tobacco Company. The Indian public conglomerate has diversified business operations in FMCG markets, hotels, paperboards, packaging, agri-business and information technology.

 

CAT
Caterpillar Inc is popularly known as CAT. Apart from designing, manufacturing, marketing and selling machinery, this company sells financial products and insurance to customers around the world.

 

INTEL
The world’s largest chip maker, Intel’s full name is Integrated Electronics. The company makes motherboard chipsets, network interface controllers and integrated circuits, flash memory, graphic chips, among other products.

Suarez stars as Liverpool torment QPR(Lampard inspires Chelsea, Suarez torments QPR)

LONDON (Reuters) - Frank Lampard underlined his value to Chelsea with a well-taken double to secure a 2-1 comeback win at Everton on Sunday and Liverpool's Luis Suarez heaped more misery on Premier League strugglers Queens Park Rangers.

The subject of intense speculation about his future at Stamford Bridge, midfielder Lampard reminded Chelsea's power-brokers of his class by scoring either side of halftime to cancel out Steven Pienaar's powerful strike after 63 seconds.

Chelsea's fourth successive league win under interim manager Rafael Benitez lifted the Londoners back up to third in the Premier League, four points behind second-placed Manchester City with a game in hand.

Manchester United are seven points clear at the top and QPR's 3-0 home loss to Liverpool left them three points adrift at the bottom.

Lampard has made more than 500 appearances for Chelsea in 11 years but has been linked with a move away from the club when his contract expires at the end of the season.

"We haven't been talking (about a new contract) in the last couple of weeks and I'm just concentrating on playing," Lampard told Sky Sports.

"Playing games gives me enough satisfaction, then what will be will be."

Benitez praised his side for the way they responded to conceding early on but he would not be drawn on Lampard's future.

"My job is to keep Lampard fit," he said. "He is under contract, fully committed and working hard and that is it. My job is to coach the players, and keep winning games and keep my opinion."

Lampard's performance at Goodison Park was an example of just how influential he can be.

He rose in the box to meet a well-directed, left-footed cross from Ramires, planting the ball in the corner of Tim Howard's net to draw Chelsea level, before slamming home the winner after a goalmouth scramble with 18 minutes left.

Lampard has made popping up in the right place at the right time an art form in his time at Chelsea.
The goals against Everton were his 191st and 192nd for Chelsea, which took him to within one of Kerry Dixon, second on the club's all-time goalscoring list with 193.

Bobby Tambling, with 202, remains out in front.

While Lampard was the hero for Chelsea, Everton will lament their inability to finish off a number of opportunities.

Pienaar's goal gave the hosts a flying start and for the first 20 minutes, the Toffees bossed Chelsea and should have doubled their advantage.

A stirring Nikica Jelavic free kick struck the woodwork and Chelsea keeper Petr Cech kept out an effort by Leon Osman.

But the European champions warmed to the task and Lampard showed off all his class.

"It was very hard," he said.

"This is always one of the most difficult games of the season. We got a tanking here last year and we had to stand up for ourselves... It was always going to be very close and we did ride our luck at times.

"We have to keep believing this season - there is a long way to go. We can only win our games then rely on other things."

HAPLESS QPR

Liverpool are not involved in the title race but they showed in 30 minutes at Loftus Road how good they can be despite their mid-table position.

They raced into a 3-0 lead primarily thanks to the brilliance of striker Suarez, who weaved through some feeble defence for his opening goal before adding a second after 16 minutes.

Defender Daniel Agger's powerful header from a Steven Gerrard cross effectively ended the contest before halftime, leading to some sections of the crowd booing the QPR players as they left the pitch.

"We played probably our best football of the season in the first half," Gerrard told Sky Sports.

"QPR are having a tough time at the moment, and we knew if we started well we could quieten the crowd then play our football."

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers was unable to take his place on the sidelines due to illness and his opposite Harry Redknapp was unable to inspire a dramatic comeback like the one QPR produced in the corresponding fixture last season when late goals carried them to victory.

Liverpool's level dropped off as the game wore on and they were unable to add to their dominance but the hosts offered little in attack and the result was never in doubt as Liverpool climbed to ninth in the table.

"It was difficult, they've got real quality....Suarez, Gerrard," Redknapp said.

"Second half we changed how we played and we did better but it's difficult....you can only get what you can with what you've got but I still think we'll get out of trouble."