Where’s your governor? A state-by-state glance

After Gov. Mark Sanford disappeared on a seven-day trip to see a woman in Argentina with whom he was having an affair, Associated Press reporters in 40 states contacted their governors’ offices to ask: What’s the governor doing right now? The AP also asked for a copy of each governor’s complete schedule for the day, not just public events.

Know where your governor is? Most eagerly disclose whereabouts after SC gov’s secret trip

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Texas Gov. Rick Perry was raising money at campaign headquarters when an Associated Press reporter called his press staff to ask what he was doing. An hour later, he walked into AP’s statehouse bureau to show he was alive and well and not, say, in South America for a romantic rendezvous.

What will signal consumers are back? Look for facials and massages, and big breakfasts out

WASHINGTON — Dayne Morris eats out less, cooks at home more. He hunts for online bargains and shops at discount stores.

Bangalore women gear up for self-defence

BANGALORE - Attacks on women seem to be haunting India’s IT hub Bangalore once again, with a recent attack on two sisters by motorcycle-borne miscreants in an upmarket neighbourhood.

Nancy Reagan still sees and talks to her beloved Ronnie

WASHINGTON - Former US First Lady Nancy Reagan has revealed that she still sees and talks to her late husband and former president Ronald Reagan.

Taliban agrees to pull out from some parts of Lower Dir in NWFP

ISLAMABAD - The Taliban has agreed to move out of the Asbanr and Gulabad areas of the Lower Dir region of the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) within the next two days.

Daily Horoscopes (18th December, 2008)

Aries : March 21- April 19

Both your business and social life will be smooth today. You will be relaxed in whatever you will do today. You will take out time for your family and kids. Romance will be on peaks today. You will express your feelings to people whom you love dearly.

Mexico to shut all but essential services as world health officials ratchet up swine flu alert

MEXICO CITY — Mexico readied a “temporarily closed” sign — taking the drastic step of ordering a suspension of nonessential federal government and private business activity as it tried to squelch a swine flu epidemic. The World Health Organization ratcheted up an alert and warned that “all of humanity” is threatened.

General Motors to cut 21,000 US factory jobs, shed Pontiac as it speeds restructuring effort

DETROIT — General Motors Corp. could be majority owned by the federal government under a massive restructuring plan laid out Monday that will cut 21,000 U.S. factory jobs by next year and phase out the storied Pontiac brand.

Jackie Chan’s comments spark protest in Taiwan

TAIPEI, Taiwan — Taiwanese opposition politicians protested Monday against Jackie Chan over controversial comments on democracy but an official said Taiwan will still invite the Hong Kong action movie star to promote a sports event.

‘We won’t push India for resuming talks with Pak’, says Holbrooke

NEW DELHI - President Barack Obama’s Special Envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan, Richard Holbrooke, clarified on Wednesday that he would not press India for resuming peace talks with Pakistan.

Julia Roberts plants a kiss on David Letterman’s lips

LONDON - Talk show host David Letterman, known for leaving the guests dumbfounded with his witty questions, was at a loss of words when Hollywood actress Julia Roberts planted a kiss on his lips.

Batla House fit case for magisterial probe: NHRC

NEW DELHI - The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Wednesday told the Delhi High Court that a magisterial inquiry is mandatory in every case of death due to police action and the Batla House shootout was no exception.

Poll campaign begins in West Bengal with graffiti row

KOLKATA - Political parties in West Bengal have kicked off the campaign for the coming Lok Sabha polls with their workers painting a wall of a government building with graffiti, triggering a debate about the violation of the Election Commission’s (EC) campaign guidelines.

Some Delhi cops face inquiry over links with land mafia

NEW DELHI - At a time when sleuths of the Delhi Police are probing irregularities in the allotment of over 5,000 flats in the capital, their own officers have come under the scanner for alleged nexus with the land mafia.

Interpol team arrives in Islamabad for Mumbai attacks probe

ISLAMABAD - Interpol chief Ronald Noble Tuesday arrived in Islamabad for talks over Indian allegations of involvement of Pakistan-based militant groups in the Mumbai terror attacks.