Pakistani jets pound Taliban positions, 18 militants killed

Pakistani fighter jets on Sunday pounded several Taliban positions in the restive Aurakzai tribal region in northwest Pakistan killing 18 militants, as large army contingents moved into the area, triggering speculation about a fresh offensive against the rebels.

Jet fighters pounded targets in several areas of lower and upper Aurakzai Agency, killing 18 rebels.

The house of the father-in-law of Taliban commander Aslam Farooqi in Mirowak area was among the targets struck by the jets, official sources said. But it was not clear if he was among those killed.

Eight militant hideouts and a girls’ high school were destroyed in the bombardment.

The air strikes were carried out as large contingents of the Pakistan Army moved into Aurakzai Agency.

Troops set up check posts at Kulaba and surrounding areas and tightened security at entry points to the region, the sources said.

The deployment triggered speculation that the army planned to launch a “decisive operation” against the Taliban in Aurakzai Agency in the next few days, sources said.

Keywords: Pakistan military offensive, Taliban attack, northwest Pakistan

Career Job

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 01: P&O Cruises ship 'Pacific Dawn' arrives back in Sydney after cutting short her Great Barrier Reef voyage following a Swine Flu scare on board, at Darling harbour on June 1, 2009 in Sydney, Australia. The 2,000 passengers left aboard were all allowed to leave the ship after they were given the all clear following an outbreak onboard, where three crew tested positive for the virus. The Queensland Government was forced to declare a public health emergency on Saturday in order that the vessel be allowed to dock in Brisbane, where 84 passengers disembarked having been screened for the Swine Flu virus, with all required to quarantine themselves for seven days. The ship is due to sail again on Thursday, reportedly fully booked, as Australia now confirms 303 cases of human swine flu.

Got epic talent? Show us in a video and you could be performing on Norwegian Epic

Looking for that big break in the entertainment world? USA TODAY readers, here's your chance.

USA TODAY's Cruise Log and Norwegian Cruise Line today are announcing a nationwide contest to search for an "epic" entertainer to perform at the July inaugural of Norwegian Epic.

The winner of the Search for the Epic Star contest, as it's being called, also will receive a seven-day Caribbean cruise on the much-awaited vessel -- the line's largest and most elaborate ever.

The 4,200-passenger Norwegian Epic is designed to take entertainment at sea to a new level with regular performances by big-name acts such as the Blue Man Group and Las Vegas' Legends in Concert. Also on board will be Cirque Dreams, the only "big top" at sea; a comedy show by improv group Second City; and the dueling piano show, Howl at the Moon.

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Entering the contest is easy. Starting today through April 25, would-be stars who think their talent is epic should submit a video of one minute or less at www.epicstar.usatoday.com.

Singers, musicians, dancers, jugglers, comics, rappers and more in groups of one to four performers who are 21 years of age and older and reside in the U.S. or Canada are eligible.

Once the entries are in, a panel of professional judges including Neil Goldberg of Cirque Productions, Tim Aumiller of Blue Man Group, Beth Kligerman of The Second City and Brian Brigner of Legends in Concert will select eight semi-finalists whose videos will be displayed here at the Cruise Log throughout May (two videos will be posted per week).

The public then will have the chance to vote for its favorite contestant here at the Cruise Log June 1-11. From the top three scoring acts, the judges will select the grand prize winner, who will be announced on June 18.

In addition to the grand prize winner, the top two finalists will be awarded the opportunity to come to Norwegian Epic's inaugural festivities in New York, July 2-4.

Judging will be based on creativity, originality, entertainment value, quality of performance and professionalism. Only original content and videos of one minute or less will be considered. Any videos that use licensed material will be disqualified.

For more information about the contest and to register,visit www.epicstar.usatoday.com.

At 153,000 tons, Norwegian Epic will be more than 50% larger than the line's biggest ships currently at sea and include a number of industry innovations. The ship will have curved "New Wave" cabins; the largest suite complex at sea, comprising 60 suites and villas on two private decks at the top of the ship; spa cabins and family cabins. The vessel also will be home to Nickelodeon at Sea -- a family-focused, Nickelodeon-themed entertainment program that will include character meet-and-greets, interactive game shows and more.

Also announced for the vessel: The first Ice Bar at sea; an outdoor entertainment area called SpiceH20; an expansive Aqua Park with the only tube slide and largest bowl slide at sea; a 33-foot high, 64-foot wide extreme rock climbing wall; the first rappelling wall at sea; the most bowling lanes at sea with six in two venues; a mixed-use sports deck with the ability for guests to engage in eight different athletic activities; three separate kids' and teen activity areas; 20 eateries; and 20 bars and lounges.

Saudi Arabia denies pressuring China against Iran

Saudi Arabia has dismissed US claims that Riyadh would use its leverage to pressure China to approve new sanctions against Iran.

According to the Saudi official news agency, SPA, an official in Riadh rejected a claim by US Defense Secretary Robert Gates on the issue of pressuring China to support fresh sanctions against Iran, IRNA reported on Friday.

The report indicates that the two sides did not even discuss the matter during Gates' visit to Saudi Arabia.

Earlier, Gates had said that the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia had expressed willingness to push Beijing to support sanctions against Iran.

The West accuses Iran of seeking to develop atomic weapons through its nuclear program.

Iran has repeatedly denied the charge, saying that the country seeks nuclear energy to meet its growing demand for electricity.

Tehran notes that its nuclear program does not violate the boundaries of the International Atomic Energy Agency and the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), to which it is a signatory.

Court audit unveils Lehman's deceptive bookkeeping

An official report indicates that the now-defunct US financial services firm Lehman Brothers used misleading accounting ploys to eliminate $50 billion of troubled assets.

The 2,200-page report by a court-appointed examiner explains how executives of the company manipulated their balance sheet to make their finances appear more robust.

The report says Lehman temporarily shifted the troubled assets in the months before its collapse to conceal its dependence on borrowed money.

The new finding could result in new legal liability for former officials at the firm.

They added that then-Lehman CEO Richard S. Fuld Jr. was "at least grossly negligent" and that the accounting firm Ernst & Young could be accused of professional malpractice.

“It's a very damaging report and certainly is something that is going to be carefully scrutinized by federal prosecutors,” said Robert Mintz, a former justice department prosecutor who is a private defense attorney.

Lehman Brothers' collapse in 2008 shook financial markets worldwide and sparked the worst stage of the financial crisis.

Quake-hit Chile doubles troops to restore calm

Chilean officials have deployed thousands of extra troops to stop chaos and lawlessness in areas already traumatized by the country's devastating earthquake.

President Michelle Bachelet on Tuesday doubled the number of troops to 14,000 in the wake of widespread looting in some of the worst-hit areas in central and southern Chile.

Speaking at a news conference the president said that mayhem would not be allowed and vowed to "apply the full force of the law," to stop chaos.

Bachelet also urged the public to organize mechanisms for self defense.

The president's comments came after another restless night in Chile's second biggest city, Concepcion, where desperate residents openly ransacked stores in anger over slow government actions.

Officials however blame criminals and thugs for involvement in the looting sprees and have extended a curfew in the city and neighboring regions from 6 p.m. Tuesday until noon Wednesday.

Around two million people, or one-eighth of the country's total population, have been affected by Saturday's massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake.

More than 120 aftershocks with magnitudes greater than 5 on the Richter scale have also rattled the country.

The government has put the death toll from the quake at 795, but officials say the tally will likely increase in coming days as search-and-rescue crews dig into collapsed buildings and discover more bodies.

Fears also persist that hundreds more might have been dragged into the Pacific Ocean by tsunami waves that reached 30 to 40 feet high.

According to Bachelet, Chile has received offers of international aid and will accept the help that it needs.

According to the US Geological Survey, Chile's Saturday earthquake is the fifth-strongest tremor since 1900. Another 8.8 quake struck off the coast of Ecuador in 1906.