The Londoner

Revealing his plans to head off a long-lasting recession, Chancellor Alastair Darling said these were exceptional times that required exceptional measures. Does he know he's quoting a man who tried to blow up Parliament? The times we are living in are quite exceptional, don't you know. Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling told us so in Monday's pre-Budget report, using what is rapidly becoming the phrase du jour. In recent weeks the line "exceptional times that required exceptional measures" has been delivered by his boss Gordon Brown. By Jose Manuel Barroso, the President of the European Commission. And by the governor of the Bank of England, Mervyn King. Gordon Brown: "Extraordinary times require extraordinary action" It's a well-known phrase and the variations are plentiful. As well as exceptional, times are often desperate, drastic or extreme, and can require action as well as measures. We all get the drift, but where does the phrase come

By Matt Frei BBC News, Washington You could be forgiven for thinking that Chicago is the new Washington, that the president-elect is already running the country from there and that the West Wing has just become the Mid-West wing. Even though he assured us again on Tuesday - if assured is the right word? - that he will only take over the reins of power after Inauguration Day on 20 January, Barack Obama talks, decides and reasons as if those reins are already firmly in his hands. He refers to his weekly radio address like a real president does. Everything from his body language to his use of the present tense indicates that he already thinks of himself as the commander-in-chief, preparing everything for day one of America's 44th presidency. The drastic times demand it, he tells us. But then so does his pragmatic and poignant nature, one might add. Compare his behaviour to the unbearable lightness of George W Bush. Intellect Mr Obama is not just announcing his cabinet much earlier tha

About 200 people were on Wednesday night holed up inside a hall in the Taj Hotel in Mumbai as they were advised by the hotel staff not to go out because of the attack by terrorists. They are holed up in the hall in the old wing of the hotel since 9.30 pm, when terrorists struck. Krishna Das, MP, who was among those held up, said they had been advised not to move out of the hall till the police clears the place of terrorists. He was having dinner with some friends in a restaurant of the hotel when he heard gunshots. The guests ducked under the table from where they had fleeting glimpse of terrorists who were firing indiscriminately. At least 10 top business executives are also stuck on another floor of the hotel

Over 90 people have been killed and about 200 injured in many terrorist attacks in Mumbai on Wednesday night. Two five-star hotels - Trident and Taj - are under siege and gunmen are reported to have held the occupants hostage. An ATS team has arrived at the Taj, where fifth blast was reported; a grenade was flung from inside the hotel. The Army has stormed the Taj hotel and taken position at Trident hotel. Meanwhile, there are reports that nine suspected terrorists have been caught and two killed in the operation but three escaped. A little known outfit Deccan Mujahideen has claimed responsibility for the attacks. Meanwhile, there are reports of firing at JW Marriott hotel also. "Encounter is on between police and terrorists at Taj and Trident. Our people have surrounded them and the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) team has arrived at the Taj hotel," A N Roy, Deputy Police Commissioner. Home Minister Shivraj Patil has left for Mumbai. Many foreigners are reported to be held hostag

Brilliant performance by the two all-rounders- Razzaq & Rana Naved saw Pakistan beat World XI by 6 wickets. Rana Naved & Razzaq were befittingly declared the joint man of the match for brilliant half centuries. Start of play saw Inzamam Ul Haq win the toss and elected to field, taking the due factor into consideration, especially with the reverse sing exponents in his bowling arsenal. ICL World got off to a confident start with the inform Murray Goodwin playing some delightful strokes to take the score to40 for no loss at the end of the 4th over. Goodwin was looking in great touch brining his fifty in the 7th over, laced with 8 fours and 1 six. The 90 run partnership between the two openers was brought to an end by debutant Riaz Afridi in the 10th over, castling the dangerous Murray for a well made 52. The half way mark of the World innings had them well placed at 94/1. the crucial middle overs was turning out to be a fascinating contest between bat & ball with the World ba

An alert was sounded on Wednesday night across West Bengal, including the eastern metropolis in the wake of terrorist attacks in Mumbai. Checking at entry points in the metropolis have been intensified and additional forces posted in vulnerable areas as a precautionary measure, city Police Commissioner Gautam Mohan Chakraborty told a news agency. He said extra police personnel have been deployed in front of railway stations, big hotels, government offices and vital installations. "We are keeping watch on the situation in Mumbai and have kept our forces alert here," he said. Meanwhile, security has also been strengthened at the Sealdah, Howrah and Kolkata stations and Railway police asked to be vigilant in both Eastern and Southeastern Railways.